The Washington Nationals could not have been more happy to get back home to Nationals Park. After an abysmal quick road trip across the country in which the team was swept by both the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres and finished with an 0-6 record while also setting the all-time blown saves mark, the Nationals came back home to face another west coast club in the Los Angeles Angels.
Led by ever-loyal Angels superstar Mike Trout, the Angels have struggled once again this season, and were major sellers at the trade deadline this year. Coming into tonight with just a 56-90 record, the weekend series against them presented a golden opportunity for the Nationals. Luckily, the Nationals had just the right guy on the mound to help them bounce back to their winning ways.
Cade Cavalli continuing to become the true ace of the Nationals' staff
Of course, as has been the case for several months now, the Nationals were able to turn to Cade Cavalli when in a pinch. If there was ever any doubt on if the righty would deliver another great outing after allowing an initial homer to Trout in the second at-bat of the game, Cavalli would quickly settle in to finish off yet another masterful performance.
Fortunately for the Nationals, great outings are just the norm now for the 28-year-old Cavalli, and the team got to witness yet another Quality Start from him on Friday night. While he did not get to add to his already impressive 12 wins on the year, he ended up going 6.0 innings while allowing just 2 earned runs on 3 hits, walking only 2 batters while tallying another 9 strikeouts to his season total.
ca-ballin pic.twitter.com/Qygw5jBQUA
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 12, 2026
For the season, Cavalli is up to a 12-5 record, a 3.12 ERA, and a 1.17 WHIP to go along with 194 strikeouts. If he can clear the 200 strikeout mark, which he should accomplish in his next outing at this rate, he will become the first Nationals pitcher since 2019 to achieve the feat, when all 3 of Patrick Corbin, Max Scherzer, and Stephen Strasburg all had at least 238 strikeouts.
Since adding a cutter to his arsenal, Cavalli has seen himself turn into one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, and his numbers for the season will likely end up earning him some down-ballot National League Cy Young votes, which he is more than deserving of. Heading into next season, he might be the only pitcher you can write in with a sharpie given how much he has progressed in 2026.
The Nationals were able to come back thanks to a clutch hit from Jorbit Vivas of all players, and were also able to wiggle out of danger in the 9th to leave the tying run stranded at second base. The Nationals could use a series victory and a sweep more than you'd know, and it seems that they will have a good chance to do just that.
How much better do you realistically believe Cade Cavalli can get at this point? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.
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