The Washington Nationals wrap up their road trip with a Tuesday night regular season clash against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, first pitch set for 6:40 PM ET. Jackson Kent takes the ball for Washington against Detroit's Drew Anderson in a matchup that gives the Nationals a chance to pick up a road win deep into the September stretch. With the calendar winding down toward the end of the 2026 regular season, every game carries weight for both clubs as they look to finish strong.
Washington Nationals at Detroit Tigers: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
This is a late-season opportunity for the Nationals to test themselves on the road against an American League opponent. Comerica Park is one of the bigger outfields in baseball, which tends to suppress offense and put a premium on pitching and defense — two areas worth watching closely when Kent takes the mound.
Probable Starters: Jackson Kent vs. Drew Anderson
Jackson Kent gets the start for Washington. The Nationals are handing him the ball on the road in a meaningful September game, and how he handles Detroit's lineup will be the central storyline of the evening. Arm fatigue and roster management are real factors this time of year, so expect the Nationals bullpen to be ready regardless of how Kent's night unfolds.
Drew Anderson starts for the Tigers. Detroit will look to Anderson to keep Washington's offense in check at home, and the Nationals' hitters will need to grind out quality at-bats early to put pressure on him before any potential bullpen matchups emerge later in the game.
Keys to Watch for the Nationals
- Kent's command on the road: Pitching in a large park like Comerica can be deceptive. Kent needs to attack the strike zone and avoid deep counts that drain pitch counts early.
- Capitalizing against Anderson: Washington's lineup must look to put together multi-pitch at-bats and work the count. Getting into Detroit's bullpen early is a viable path to runs.
- Outfield defense: Comerica's spacious outfield means gap shots can turn into extra bases quickly. The Nationals' outfield alignment and reads off the bat will matter more than usual tonight.
- Bullpen management: Late September means teams are balancing workloads carefully. Washington's relief corps needs to be sharp if Kent's outing is shortened.
How to Watch and Listen
The game airs on Nationals.TV for Washington viewers and Detroit SportsNet locally. Radio coverage is available on WJFK 106.7 The Fan, with Spanish-language radio on LaZ WDTW 1310AM/107.9FM. Detroit radio fans can tune into WXYT 97.1 FM.
Prediction
This is a winnable road game for Washington. Kent getting through five or six solid innings would go a long way toward giving the Nationals a legitimate shot to close this one out. Call it a competitive, low-scoring affair that comes down to which bullpen holds up late. Nationals 4, Tigers 3.
