The Washington Nationals were able to pick up a big win over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday afternoon, salvaging the final game to avoid a series sweep. They had struggled through the first 2 games of the series, but were able to not get swept and create some positive momentum heading into a weekend series in New York to take on the Mets.
As has been the case for much of the year, the Nationals were able to stop the bleeding by turning to one of their star pitchers. For most of this season, Foster Griffin had been the guy that would get the team back on track after losses, but since he was traded to the Guardians at the deadline, the Nationals had to turn that responsibility over to their other great starting pitcher.
Cade Cavalli continues to look like the Nationals' ace of the future
That guy on Thursday was righty Cade Cavalli, who is beginning to ascend into one of the league's best starting pitchers. Finally healthy for the first time in his career, Cavalli is putting some finishing touches on a true breakout season for the Nationals, and his spot in the team's rotation for the next several years is more than safe at this point.
On Thursday vs the Cubs, Cavalli was masterful, as he tossed 8.0 shutout innings while striking ouot 10 Cubs hitters, allowing just 3 baserunners in the game as a whole. He allowed just a pair of walks and a single to Michael Busch that broke up his no-hitter with 2 outs in the 7th inning, and the hit from Busch was just a mere blooper that dropped perfectly into left field in front of Daylen Lile.
The hit was more of a fluke than anything else, and the Nationals Park crows gave Cavalli a very well-deserved standing ovation for his efforts after the hit and as he got the final out in the 8th inning. As MLB Network tweeted out today, Cavalli is now 6-1 with a 2.43 ERA and 69 strikeouts over his last 10 starts, and he has been absolutely dominant as of recent.
A former Top 100 prospect in all of baseball, health (and probably coaching, despite what Dave Martinez would have you believe) has been the only thing holding Cavalli back in his professional career. At this point, however, it may be fair to question just how much higher he can climb among league rankings as the season wraps up.
How high do you think the ceiling is for Cade Cavalli? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.
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