Aug. 7, 2026 Updated 1:14 pm EDT
The Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds square off in the first of a three-game series on Friday at Nationals Park, at 6:45 p.m. ET. Cade Cavalli (8-5, 3.52 ERA) will start for the Nationals, who are 56-61 this season and fourth in the NL East. Chase Petty (1-2, 4.50 ERA) is starting for the Reds, who are 56-58 and fourth in the NL Central.
How to watch Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington NationalsReds vs. Nationals odds
Favorite Moneyline: Nationals -120
Underdog Moneyline: Reds +100
Total: 9
Total Over Odds: +100
Total Under Odds: -120
Injury reportsNationals
James Wood: 10 Day IL (Oblique), Drew Millas: 10 Day IL (Finger), Connelly Early: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Josiah Gray: 60 Day IL (Elbow), DJ Herz: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Ken Waldichuk: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Richard Lovelady: 60 Day IL (Tricep), Mitchell Parker: 60 Day IL (Elbow), PJ Poulin: 60 Day IL (Flexor)
Reds
Spencer Steer: 10 Day IL (Wrist), Hunter Greene: 15 Day IL (Elbow), Tony Santillan: 15 Day IL (Oblique), Nick Lodolo: 15 Day IL (Finger), Graham Ashcraft: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Brandon Williamson: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Blake Dunn: 60 Day IL (Elbow)
Stats to know
Washington’s CJ Abrams is slashing .287/.362/.551 this season with 28 home runs (8th in MLB), 88 RBIs (1st in MLB) and an OPS of .912 (8th in MLB). He has a 22.7% strikeout rate and an 8.7% walk rate in 484 plate appearances, and he has scored 71 total runs. Abrams has recorded 21 steals on 26 attempts.
In 476 plate appearances, Daylen Lile is hitting .242/.294/.411 with a .705 OPS and 11 steals on 16 attempts. He has hit 14 long balls, driven in 56 runs and scored 57 times.
Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart is slashing .257/.336/.484 this season with 25 home runs (12th in MLB), 86 RBIs (2nd in MLB) and an OPS of .820. He has a 22.1% strikeout rate and a 10.5% walk rate in 494 plate appearances, and he has scored 63 total runs. Stewart has recorded 12 steals on 16 attempts.
In 427 plate appearances, Elly De La Cruz has posted a 26.9% strikeout rate and a 10.8% walk rate while slashing .276/.356/.501 with 19 home runs, 53 RBIs and 65 runs scored. He has stolen 21 bases on 27 attempts.
This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
Photo: Jamie Squire, Ishika Samant, Scott Taetsch, Alika Jenner / Getty Images
Aug 7, 2026
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle