The younger Pirates and Nationals are amongst baseball’s most shocking tales early in 2026. Pittsburgh (9-6) leads the contender-heavy NL Central, whereas Washington (7-8) simply wrapped a powerful three-game street sweep of the Brewers.
The Bucs and Nats do battle in Pittsburgh to start this week, and what higher solution to kick off an intriguing four-game collection than with Paul Skenes on the bump? Skenes (2-1, 5.25 ERA) matches up with Nationals Opening Day starter Cade Cavalli (0-0, 2.51 ERA).
To little shock, Skenes has bounced proper again from a nightmarish Opening Day begin towards the Mets by which he recorded simply two outs and allowed 5 earned runs. The reigning NL Cy Younger winner has allowed only one earned run in every of his previous two outings — 5 innings towards the Reds and 6 1/3 towards the Padres. That has include 11 strikeouts and 4 walks in these 11 1/3 innings.
Skenes will try to assist the Pirates bounce again from Sunday’s walk-off loss to the Cubs, although Pittsburgh quieted the Wrigley Discipline devoted with wins within the first two video games of the collection.
The fitting-hander will likely be charged with quieting a Nationals offense that has scored the fourth-most runs within the Majors this season, thanks partly to towering slugger James Wooden (.500 common with 4 homers over a seven-game hit streak) and shortstop CJ Abrams (1.177 OPS in his final 10 video games).
Cavalli was robust in 4 2/3 towards the Cardinals his final day trip. He gave up two runs (one earned) whereas scattering 4 hits. The 27-year-old righty has allowed two or fewer runs in every of his begins, although his management may very well be a query with at the least two walks issued in all three begins.
