​The Yankees’ rally has been truly commendable through the first two games of this series. They erased late two-run deficits on both days, plating three in the ninth to win the opener and four in the eighth yesterday. Their homers are resurgent against a Nationals bullpen that has been letting the rest of the team down, and New York is intent on finishing the first half on a high note with a sweep.
Will Warren must be markedly better than in his last outing against the Rays, when he surrendered six runs on three homers in four innings. Opponents are starting to read his fastball, and he needs to diversify his mix. It’s surprising that he hasn’t leaned more on the changeup or the curveball, given the above-average raw characteristics of those pitches; those offerings could help him become less predictable. Over 18 starts, Warren is 7-4 with a 4.15 ERA (101 ERA+), a 3.96 FIP, and 94 strikeouts in 93.1 innings.
Cade Cavalli, who was involved in the bases-clearing altercation with Willson Contreras and the Red Sox last week, will be making his first start since serving a five-game suspension for inflammatory remarks. The former Nationals top pitching prospect missed all of 2023 and 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. He has faced the Yankees once—a rough outing that stands as the worst of his major league career, eight runs on eight hits including four home runs in 2.1 innings late last August. This season, Cavalli has transformed into a different pitcher, featuring a four-seamer that averages 97 mph and can reach up to 100, along with a knuckle curve that has drawn whiffs on nearly 40 percent of swings. In 19 starts, Cavalli is 5-4 with a 3.88 ERA (110 ERA+), a 3.35 FIP, and 105 strikeouts in 92.2 innings.
The Yankees have reshuffled their lineup to better neutralize left-handed openers in the past two games. Austin Wells, celebrating his 27th birthday, returns to the lineup after homering in two of his last three appearances. Ryan McMahon’s bat is heating up, and his experienced defense at third base is a welcome addition after Amed Rosario’s earlier misplays. José Caballero takes over at shortstop for Anthony Vople. Max Schuemann slides into right field, pushing Jasson Domínguez to designated hitter to give Paul Goldschmidt a day off.
Facing the reigning star of the Nationals, James Wood, will be a tall task—the rookie has gone 3-for-5 with a home run in each of the first two games. But the Yankees’ job is to quiet the rest of Washington’s lineup beyond Wood. They’ve also made a handful of changes to their starting nine from yesterday: Abimelec Ortiz slides into the designated-hitter role, moving Luis García Jr. to first base and Curtis Mead to the bench. Keibert Ruiz starts behind the plate over Drew Millas, and José Tena replaces Nasim Núñez at second.
Where and when to watch: The game is at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. First pitch is slated for 1:35 pm ET. TV coverage will be on YES and Nationals.TV, with radio broadcasts on WFAN 660/101.9 FM and WADO 1280 for Yankees fans, and WJFK 106.7 The Fan for Nationals listeners. Streaming details are available for local viewers and out-of-market fans through Gotham S.