The Chicago Cubs host the Washington Nationals this afternoon at Wrigley Field to begin a three-game series.
This three-game set with National League’s second-worst team gives the Cubs a chance to gain ground on the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers.
Chicago trails Milwaukee by 5.5 games with just three weeks left in the regular season. While making up that gap will be tough, the Cubs hold a firm grip on a Wild Card spot. They lead the second-place San Diego Padres by four games, and San Diego has lost four straight.
The San Francisco Giants are surging but pose more of a threat to the Padres and the New York Mets than to the Cubs, who maintain a comfortable cushion for October baseball.
Javier Assad takes the mound for Chicago. The right-hander missed much of the season with an oblique injury but has been sharp since returning last month. In four starts, he holds a 1–1 record with a 4.05 ERA, though most of that damage came in his rusty first outing off the IL.
Since then, he’s posted a 2.81 ERA over three starts. Assad has been hittable, with opponents batting nearly .290 against him — well above his career average — and his sinker hasn’t been as effective, allowing a .300 average compared to .233 in 2024.
Jake Irvin gets the start for the Nationals. He enters 8–10 with a 5.42 ERA. His struggles have mounted in recent weeks, with a 7.53 ERA across his last seven starts. Irvin has allowed five or more runs seven times this season, including three outings in August.
In his lone start against Chicago, he gave up three runs and eight hits in five innings. Cubs hitters Michael Busch (5-for-8, HR) and Seiya Suzuki (3-for-10) have had success against him. Busch leads off today and Suzuki bats third.
Predictions
Expect the Cubs bats to jump on Irvin early, while Assad delivers five or six steady innings before handing it off to the bullpen.
Prediction: Cubs 6, Nationals 3
Starting Lineups
Washington Nationals
1. James Wood — LF
2. CJ Abrams — SS
3. Josh Bell — DH
4. Daylen Lile — RF
5. Luis Garcia Jr. — 2B
6. Andres Chaparro — 1B
7. Riley Adams — C
8. Robert Hassell III — CF
9. Brady House — 3B
Starting Pitcher: Jake Irvin (RHP) — 8–10, 5.42 ERA
Chicago Cubs
1. Michael Busch — 1B
2. Ian Happ — LF
3. Seiya Suzuki — DH
4. Pete Crow-Armstrong — CF
5. Nico Hoerner – 2B
6. Willi Castro — RF
7. Dansby Swanson – SS
8. Matt Shaw – 3B
9. Reese McGuire – C
Starting Pitcher: Javier Assad (RHP) — 1–1, 4.05 ERA
How to Watch Nationals vs. Cubs
First pitch for this afternoon’s Nationals-Cubs game is set for 2:20 PM Eastern / 1:20 PM Central at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
This game will not air on Marquee Sports Network, MASN, or any national cable channel. It’s streaming exclusively on Apple TV+, as part of its “Friday Night Baseball” package — though this is an afternoon game.
Apple TV+ subscriptions start at $9.99/month, but if you’ve purchased a new Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you may be eligible for a three-month free trial that’ll enable you to watch today game for free.
This offer may be available even if it’s been some time since you’ve bought your device — as long as you’ve never activated the offer before.
Apple TV+ also offers a seven-day free trial to eligible customers you can take advantage of.
Washington Nationals vs. Chicago Cubs
Date: Friday, September 5, 2025
First Pitch: 2:20 PM Eastern / 1:20 PM Central
Venue: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
TV / Streaming: Apple TV+ only
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