Postponement Update, Monday, May 5, 2025 7:30 PM: Tonight’s CLE @ WSH game has been postponed due to rain and rescheduled as part of a traditional doubleheader tomorrow, Tuesday, May 6th, starting at 3:35 p.m. ET. The second game will begin approximately 30 minutes after the first game ends.
Update, Monday, May 5, 2025 6:45 PM: Severe weather is approaching the area. Fans in or entering the ballpark should take cover under the main concourse. Please refrain from entering the seating areas at this time. We are monitoring the situation and will provide an update as more information becomes available.
Update, Monday, May 5, 2025 5:55 PM: The start of today’s game has been delayed due to inclement weather. We are monitoring the situation and will provide an update as more information becomes available, including a new start time.
The opening game for the series between the Washington Nationals and Cleveland Guardians has been delayed due to inclement weather. As of now, we have no idea when the game will take place.
Tonight's forecast doesn't exactly look the most pleasant, and the area is under a severe thunderstorm watch until midnight EST.
We are currently monitoring an inclement weather system in the area. For the safety of our guests, players and staff, the start of today’s game has been delayed.
— Nationals Park (@NationalsPark) May 5, 2025
We will provide an update as more information becomes available. Please visit https://t.co/jvGo45dFH8 for more…
Nationals vs. Guardians Rain Delay Details: Nationals continue recent string of run-ins with inclement weather
If the game does eventually get underway, the pitching matchup is set to be between righty Jake Irvin for the Nationals, and righty Luis L. Ortiz from the Guardians. Both pitchers come into tonight's matchup with 2 wins apiece, and an ERA that begins with the number 4, with a 4.01 mark for Irvin, and a 4.78 mark for Ortiz.
As part of tonight's lineup, James Wood will serve as the team's DH again, as Alex Call will draw another start in the outfield amid his very solid start to the season. Call will have a chance to have a revenge series, as it was Cleveland who gave him his initial shot in the big leagues in 2022. Keibert Ruiz draws another start behind the dish, while Dylan Crews will actually be facing a pitcher he has success against, as he has 2 hits in 3 career at-bats against Ortiz, with one of those hits being one of his 7 career home runs. Outside of Crews, Josh Bell is 1/3 in his career against Ortiz, with his lone hit being a homer as well.
Hopefully for the Nationals, Irvin will be able to keep up his success against the Cleveland lineup, as most of their starters have not had much success against him in the past, albeit in a small sample size.
The Nationals, fresh off of their series win in Cincinnati over the weekend, now have a record of 16-19, which is good enough for 3rd place in the NL East entering play on Monday. Cleveland is coming off of a series victory in Toronto over the weekend as well. The Guardians carry a 20-14 record into Monday night, and are currently in 2nd place in the AL Central.
Refresh this story for updates as the league consults on the future of Sunday's Nationals-Guardians game.