Overview
The Washington Nationals take on the New York Yankees in the final game of a three-game series on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at 1:05 PM EDT at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The sports card and web sources confirm the game time and networks (MLBN, YES, MASN). The Yankees won the series opener 10-5 on August 25, with Ben Rice’s long homer and Cam Schlittler’s six scoreless innings, while the Nationals won 4-2 on August 26, led by Andrés Chaparro and José Tena’s back-to-back homers. The teams split the 2024 series 2-2, with the Nationals winning 4-2 and 5-2 in late August. This interleague matchup is critical for the Yankees to clinch the series and stay in the AL wild card race, and for the Nationals to play spoiler. Fans seeking a winning edge can rely on this expert preview, featuring player insights, pitching matchups, and a prediction—unlock more game-changing tips with our exclusive MLB strategies now
Team Analysis
Washington Nationals
- 2025 Record (as of August 26): 54-77, 5th in NL East
- Performance Overview: The Nationals are 6-4 in their last 10 games, averaging 4.5 runs/game with a .250 batting average and a 3.20 ERA. C.J. Abrams’ .262 BA and James Wood’s .290 BA lead the offense, but injuries to Josiah Gray (SP, elbow), Cade Cavalli (SP, elbow), and Joan Adon (RP, shoulder) weaken their pitching depth.
- Strengths: Competitive as underdogs (49-64, 43.4% win rate) and a young lineup with breakout stars like Wood and Dylan Crews.
- Weaknesses: Poor road record (27-39) and a 6-4 record against the spread in their last 10 games.
- Player to Watch: James Wood (LF) – His .290 BA, 9 HRs, and .310 BA with a homer in his last 5 games make him a rising star and key offensive driver.
New York Yankees
- 2025 Record (as of August 26): 71-61, 3rd in AL East
- Performance Overview: The Yankees are 6-4 in their last 10 games, averaging 4.8 runs/game with a .251 batting average and a 4.05 ERA. Aaron Judge’s .324 BA (4th in MLB) and 40 HRs (4th in MLB) lead the offense, but injuries to Anthony Rizzo (1B, forearm) and Luis Gil (SP, back) test their depth.
- Strengths: Strong home record (39-29) and a 48-24 record when recording 8+ hits.
- Weaknesses: Bullpen inconsistency (4.50 ERA in last 10 games) and a 5-3 record as moneyline favorites in their last 10 matchups.
- Player to Watch: Aaron Judge (CF) – His .324 BA, 40 HRs, 92 RBI (7th in MLB), and .280 BA in his last 5 games make him a game-changer, though he’s 2-for-7 in this series.
Head-to-Head Record
- Historical Context: The teams split the 2024 series 2-2, with the Nationals winning 4-2 on August 27 (Chaparro and Tena’s homers) and 5-2 on August 28 (Crews’ leadoff homer). In 2025, the Yankees won 10-5 on August 25, and the Nationals won 4-2 on August 26. The Yankees hold a 38-32 all-time edge.
- Recent Encounter: On August 26, the Nationals won 4-2, with Patrick Corbin outpitching Gerrit Cole and Chaparro and Tena hitting back-to-back homers.
- Key Insight: The Nationals’ young lineup has exploited the Yankees’ pitching mistakes, but New York’s power bats thrive at home, especially against Washington’s depleted rotation.
Pitching Matchups Table
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | Innings Pitched | Strikeouts | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationals | Cade Cavalli (RHP) | 1-0 | 2.82 | 22.1 | 18 | 1.12 |
| Yankees | Max Fried (LHP) | 13-5 | 3.14 | 155.0 | 148 | 1.20 |
Strengths and Negatives of Pitchers
- Cade Cavalli (Nationals):
- Strengths: Impressive 2.82 ERA in 4 starts, with a 97.5 mph fastball and a knuckle curve with 4+ inches of downward movement. His 1-0 record and 149 ERA+ show his effectiveness since returning from injury on August 6.
- Negatives: Limited innings (5.2 per start) and a high-velocity fastball that’s been hit hard (.280 BA allowed) could be targeted by Judge and Cody Bellinger’s power.
- Max Fried (Yankees):
- Strengths: Elite 3.14 ERA (129 ERA+), 8.6 K/9, and a 2.84 ERA in his last 3 starts (19 IP, 6 ER). His six scoreless innings vs. the Red Sox on August 22 highlight his ability to dominate at home.
- Negatives: Recent inconsistency (4+ runs in 7 of 8 starts before Boston) and reliance on his fastball could be exploited by Wood and Abrams’ contact hitting.
Key Players to Monitor
- Washington Nationals:
- New York Yankees:
Recent Performance
- Washington Nationals: At 54-77, the Nationals are 6-4 in their last 10, scoring 45 runs while allowing 38, with their young offense clicking and pitching staff solid (3.20 ERA).
- New York Yankees: At 71-61, the Yankees are 6-4 in their last 10, scoring 48 runs and allowing 40, with their offense strong at home but bullpen inconsistent.
Critical Factors
- Venue: Yankee Stadium’s hitter-friendly dimensions (4.10 park ERA) favor the Yankees’ power bats like Judge and Bellinger, though Wood and Abrams’ speed can exploit gaps.
- Weather: Forecasted at 78°F with partly cloudy skies, ideal for a competitive game.
- Momentum: The Nationals’ 6-4 run and August 26 upset contrast with the Yankees’ 6-4 record and home strength (39-29).
- Betting Odds: Yankees favored at -135, with over/under at 8.5, reflecting Fried’s edge and Yankee Stadium’s scoring trends.
Prediction
The New York Yankees hold a slight edge in this matchup, driven by Max Fried’s 3.14 ERA and home dominance compared to Cade Cavalli’s 2.82 ERA but limited innings. The Nationals’ young lineup, led by Wood and Abrams, could challenge Fried’s fastball reliance, but the Yankees’ offense, sparked by Judge and Bellinger, should exploit Cavalli’s hittable fastball. New York’s bullpen, despite inconsistencies, will likely secure the win with Clay Holmes closing to clinch the series.
Final Prediction: New York Yankees win, 6-4. Judge drives in 2 runs, and Fried pitches six quality innings.
Best Bets
- Moneyline: New York Yankees (-135) – Fried’s reliability and the Yankees’ home offense make them a solid pick.
- Over 8.5 Runs (-110) – Yankee Stadium’s hitter-friendly setup and both teams’ power suggest a high-scoring game.
- Aaron Judge to Record an RBI (+100) – His 40 HRs and .324 BA offer strong value against Cavalli’s fastball.
This preview, based on the latest trends and stats as of August 26, 2025, delivers expert, trustworthy, and engaging content for MLB fans. Watch live on MLBN, YES, or MASN, as noted in the sports card and web sources.
