Stephanie: Andrew Alvarez just tossed seven innings of one-hit ball, but the bullpen blew it. Again. If you think that’s frustrating, wait until you hear what’s coming up in Game 3.
Sean: It is the definition of a rollercoaster series. We’re heading into the final chapter against Los Angeles, and the margin for error is nonexistent.
Stephanie: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Stephanie, joined by Sean, and we are live from Washington D.C. on Saturday, September 13th, 2026.
Sean: And happy Saturday, everyone. Thanks for tuning in as we break down today’s matchup between the Nationals and the Angels.
Stephanie: Here is your roadmap for today. First, we look at the pitching probable for Game 3 and whether Alvarez can go deep enough to save the arms. Second, we dive into the injury report—who is actually available to play today? And third, we give our bold predictions to close out this three-game set.
Sean: That’s right. The Nationals sit at 69-81, fifth in the NL East. The Angels are 56-92, fifth in the AL West. It’s a battle of teams looking toward next year, but for these players, every win matters for development and pride.
Stephanie: Let’s start with the mound. In Game 1, Jake Irvin struggled. In Game 2, Andrew Alvarez was spectacular—seven innings, only one hit allowed. But did he get the win? No, because the bullpen collapsed in extra innings when CJ Abrams scored on an error.
Sean: Right. And that is the story of this series. Alvarez showed us exactly what happens when the front line executes. He kept the Angels off balance all night. But the question for Game 3 is: who starts? Is it Cade Cavalli? Or do they try to squeeze one more day out of someone else?
Stephanie: We don’t have a confirmed starter listed yet, but let’s talk about the rotation depth. We know Sam Bachman is on the 15-Day IL, George Klassen is also out. Harry Ford is day-to-day behind the plate. This thin rotation means whoever starts today needs to eat innings.
Sean: Exactly. And if Alvarez isn’t starting, we need to see if Jackson Kent or Riley Cornelio can step up. Cornelio has been solid in relief, but moving him to the rotation is a big ask this late in the season. The ABS challenge system tracker shows some interesting stats on umpire calls lately, which might help hitters if the pitchers aren’t locating perfectly.
Stephanie: Speaking of location, Alvarez nailed it yesterday. Seven innings. One hit. That is elite execution. If the Nationals want to sweep, they need another performance like that, or they need their offense to explode early so the bullpen doesn’t have to work overtime again.
Sean: I agree. The key here is efficiency. You cannot afford to burn through forty pitches in the first two innings. If the starter goes six innings, you still have pressure on Brad Lord, Yovanny Cruz, or Will Dion. Those guys have been reliable, but they weren’t called upon much yesterday because Alvarez was so good.
Stephanie: So, sticking with us for the rest of the show, we’ll break down who is hitting and who is hurt. Don't go anywhere.
Stephanie: Okay, let’s talk injuries and lineup construction. We have a lot of names on the injured list. DJ Herz, PJ Poulin, Connelly Early, Yoan Moncada—all on the 60-Day IL. Gustavo Campero and Nolan Schanuel are on the 10-Day IL. That’s a lot of bodies missing.
Sean: It really thins out the roster. Nasim Nunez is on bereavement leave, so he’s unavailable too. But the bright side is that Harry Ford is day-to-day. If he’s active, he gives you a veteran presence behind the plate, especially with Keibert Ruiz also there.
Stephanie: Forwards, let’s look at the bats. Jorbit Vivas had that tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth inning Friday to snap a seven-game skid. Dylan Crews and James Wood have been the focal points all week.
Sean: Vivas is crucial. His ability to drive the ball into gaps changes the momentum. Yesterday, CJ Abrams scoring on an error felt lucky, but it highlights how aggressive the Angels’ defense can be when they’re under pressure. Crews and Wood need to exploit those defensive lapses.
Stephanie: Brady House at third base and Andres Chaparro at first provide power threats. Yohandy Morales and Abimelec Ortiz are also in the mix. With the rotation being so thin, the offense needs to manufacture runs consistently, not just rely on home runs.
Sean: Platoon splits will matter here. The Angels’ bullpen might be tired after yesterday’s extra-inning loss. If the Nationals can get early contact and put runners in scoring position, they can force the Angels to use their best relievers early.
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Stephanie: Back to baseball. So, what are the keys to the series? We’ve predicted two wins each time we talked about this series. Now, what does it take to get that sweep?
Sean: The key is managing the bullpen. If the starter goes five innings, the Nats need to survive the sixth. Yesterday was a nightmare scenario. Today, they need a cleaner finish. I’m predicting the Nationals win two of the three games, securing the series win even if they drop Game 3.
Stephanie: I’m going bolder. I think they sweep it. Why? Because Dylan Crews and James Wood are heating up. Vivas proved he can change a game in one swing. The Angels are struggling defensively. If the Nats’ young core steps up, they close this out at home.
Sean: Bold prediction, Steph. But with the injuries clearing up slightly and the offense finding its rhythm, it’s possible. We’ll see if Andrew Alvarez gets another start or if we need to lean on the pen.
Stephanie: Whatever happens, we’ll be here to break it down. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Go Nats!