The Nationals started the last month of the regular season the same way they began August, with 2 games against the Atlanta Braves. This time went a bit better than last, splitting the 2 instead of losing both. While they did drop the second game, they've been playing above .500 ball (6-4) across their last 10 games.
With playoff hopes all but gone, it's time for Washington to play spoiler for the rest of the league. Their next opponent has a comfortable lead in the National League West, but the Nats have a chance to diminish their hopes of getting a playoff bye.
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World Series hopes remain at the forefront of the Los Angeles Dodgers' minds, but their chances of either the #1 seed or a playoff bye are much more pressing needs. They're tied with Atlanta for the second-best record in the NL, and they sit 4.0 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the top seed. Los Angeles has been on and up-and-down swing as of late, sitting at a 4-6 record across their last 10.
Game One – Friday, 10:10 PM ET
WSH: LHP Jackson Kent (1-2, 5.59ERA)LAD: LHP Blake Snell (2-1, 2.42 ERA)
Jackson Kent is coming off the best start of his young career the last time through the rotation, throwing 7.0 innings of 1-run ball against the Miami Marlins. He squares off against a veteran southpaw in Snell, who threw to a sparkling 1.17 ERA across 23.0 innings in his first full month back from injury.
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Game Two – Saturday, 9:10 PM ET
WSH: RHP Cade Cavalli (12-5, 3.12 ERA)LAD: RHP Tyler Glasnow 4-0, 2.79 ERA)
The ceiling for Cavalli continues to be raised with every start he makes, and he enters September with a real chance to finish the season with an ERA under 3.10. Another injury-riddled arm takes the mound for the Dodgers, with Glasnow making just his 3rd start since May 6th.
Game Three – Sunday, 10:10 PM ET
WSH: LHP Andrew Alvarez (2-6, 3.47 ERA)LAD: TBA
Alvarez, like Kent, is also coming off the most effective start of his 2026 campaign. His 6.0 shutout innings against Miami dropped his ERA below the 3.50-mark, continuing his push for a rotation spot in 2027. Los Angeles will likely use a bullpen game in the finale, with health concerns limiting their starting options.
