The Washington Nationals welcome the Arizona Diamondbacks to Nationals Park on Saturday, July 25, 2026, with first pitch set for 4:05 PM ET. Foster Griffin gets the ball for Washington, squaring off against lefty prospect Mitch Bratt in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching matchup between two arms still carving out their roles at the big-league level. With the second half of the season underway, every home date at Nationals Park carries real weight — both for the standings and for the development of this young roster.
Probable Pitchers: Foster Griffin vs. Mitch Bratt
Foster Griffin draws the start for the Nationals. A left-handed pitcher who has bounced between starting and relief roles at various points in his professional career, Griffin's assignment here signals the organization's confidence in his ability to eat innings and compete against a quality opponent. His command and ability to keep the ball in the park will be central to Washington's chances of setting the tone early.
Mitch Bratt gets the nod for Arizona. Like Griffin, Bratt is a young arm still building his big-league résumé, and this start at Nationals Park gives him a meaningful opportunity against a Nationals lineup that has shown flashes of offensive potential this season. How Bratt handles Washington's hitters in the middle innings — when lineups turn over and adjustments matter most — will be worth watching closely.
Keys to Watch for the Nationals
- Griffin's pitch efficiency: If Griffin can work deep into the game with controlled pitch counts, it takes pressure off a bullpen that figures to be tested across a long home stand.
- Capitalizing against a young starter: Washington's offense has an opportunity to exploit any early command issues from Bratt. Getting runners on base and making him work deep counts could open up the middle of the order.
- Defensive execution: Games between developing rosters can turn on errors and mental mistakes. Clean defense behind Griffin keeps this one competitive from the first inning on.
- Bullpen bridge: Depending on how long both starters go, the middle-relief matchup could decide this game. Washington's ability to match Arizona's bullpen arm-for-arm in the late innings is a real factor.
Why This Game Matters
The Nationals are in a stretch of the season where consistency at home is the benchmark. Nationals Park should be a place where Washington builds momentum, and a Saturday afternoon game against a divisional outsider like Arizona is exactly the kind of opportunity this club needs to seize. The Diamondbacks are no pushover — they have the organizational depth and athleticism to make things uncomfortable — but this is Washington's building block moment, on their own grass, in front of their own fans.
Prediction
This one figures to be a low-scoring, pitcher-driven game in the early going, with the bullpens ultimately deciding the outcome. Griffin keeps Arizona off-balance long enough for the Nationals' lineup to scratch out a lead, and Washington holds on for a narrow home win. Nationals 4, Diamondbacks 2.
