The Washington Nationals return home to Nationals Park on Tuesday night sitting at 24–30 and looking to shake off recent inconsistency by taking advantage of a key matchup against a high-performing Chicago Cubs team. Despite being under .500, the Nationals have shown competitiveness, especially at home where they’re 16–15 against the spread and have managed to stay within striking distance in a majority of their contests. Washington will send right-hander Trevor Williams to the mound, who brings a 3–5 record and 5.69 ERA into the game, but is coming off one of his best starts of the year—a six-inning shutout performance against the Seattle Mariners that displayed his ability to generate soft contact and stay ahead in counts when in rhythm. The Nationals will need Williams to replicate that form against a disciplined Cubs lineup that rarely chases and punishes pitchers for leaving the ball over the plate. Offensively, Washington relies heavily on C.J. Abrams, who continues to be a breakout presence with both his glove and his bat, and has emerged as the team’s most consistent producer from the top of the order. Alongside Abrams, players like Lane Thomas and Luis García Jr. have flashed offensive upside, though the lineup as a whole lacks the depth to sustain long rallies or cover for quiet nights from its top hitters.

The Nationals have had success when playing small ball—advancing runners, stealing bases, and manufacturing runs through aggressive baserunning and well-timed situational hitting. Manager Dave Martinez has leaned into a contact-first offensive approach, trusting his younger hitters to make things happen even when the long ball isn’t present. Defensively, the team has improved, showing better communication and execution in late-game scenarios, helping a bullpen that has been asked to shoulder a heavy load in close games. That bullpen, anchored by Hunter Harvey and Kyle Finnegan, has quietly stabilized, and if Williams can hand off a lead or a manageable deficit, the Nationals should be able to keep the game within reach. Key for Washington will be scoring early and avoiding prolonged scoring droughts that have cost them games, particularly when facing quality rotations like Chicago’s. Taking advantage of a rookie starter in Cade Horton—who has pitched well but is still learning how to navigate major league lineups multiple times through—will be a top priority. If the Nationals can make Horton work, reach base consistently in the first three innings, and put pressure on the Cubs’ defense, they’ll give themselves a real shot to take Game 1. For a team trying to build momentum and stay relevant as summer begins, a strong showing at home against a playoff contender would go a long way toward boosting confidence and establishing that they can contend on any given night with the right execution.