Cubs vs Nationals: Live Updates, Score, and Highlights From Tonight's Showdown

Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., becomes the focal point of the National League tonight as the first-place Chicago Cubs (37-22) visit the Washington Nationals (28-31) for game one of a three-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET and the projected pitching matchup pits rookie right-hander Cade Horton (2–0, 3.98 ERA) against former Cub Trevor Williams (3–5, 5.69 ERA). Why this game matters • Chicago carries a 4-game NL Central lead and is 17-11 away from Wrigley Field, while Washington sits nine games behind the Mets in the NL East yet only 3.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. • Horton, the Cubs’ No. 1 prospect last year, has struck out 18 over 16⅔ MLB innings; tonight is his first road start. • Williams, who spent 2021 with Chicago, owns a 3.07 ERA at Nationals Park this season despite overall struggles. Key Cubs to watch • Pete Crow-Armstrong is hitting .355 with two homers and four steals in his last seven games. • Dansby Swanson has a .901 OPS vs. right-handers in 2025 and drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly in the 2nd inning tonight. • Bullpen weapon Adbert Alzolay has converted 11 straight save chances. Key Nationals to watch • Shortstop C.J. Abrams has a .277 average and 17 stolen bases; his leadoff single and run opened the scoring in the 1st. • Luis García Jr. owns a 142 wRC+ at home and plated Abrams with an RBI single. • Rookie outfielder Robert Hassell III is slugging .512 since his May call-up. How to watch & live-stream • TV: Marquee Sports Network (CHI), MASN (WSH) • National live stream: MLB.TV (out-of-market), ESPN+ (subscription), Fubo, DirecTV Stream and Sling packages that carry regional networks. • Radio: 670 AM The Score (Cubs); 106.7 FM The Fan (Nationals). Betting odds (via ESPN BET, subject to change) • Moneyline: Cubs –150 / Nationals +120 • Run line: Cubs –1.5 (+110) • Over/Under: 9.5 runs (O –105, U –125) Injury report Chicago still awaits the return of ace Shota Imanaga (forearm) and right fielder Kyle Tucker (hamstring). Washington remains without center-fielder Jacob Young (ankle) and reliever Derek Law (elbow). Series outlook The clubs play again Wednesday and Thursday before a September rematch at Wrigley. Chicago swept Washington in 2024 and has won seven of the last nine meetings. With a red-hot offense and its top prospect on the mound, the Cubs aim to keep NL Central momentum rolling, while the Nationals look to ride home-field energy and Williams’ familiarity with his old team to an upset that could spark their postseason push.