The Reds haven't just been winning, they've been finding ways to do it late, taking one-run decisions against the A's twice in the same series. That kind of resilience matters against a Nationals team that's lost close ones and blowouts alike over the last week, including a shutout loss to Philadelphia in the middle of their skid.
- 10-Day-ILSpencer Steer (1B) — Steer will wear a splint for the next two weeks after being diagnosed with a partial tear of the tendon sheath in his right wrist, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.07/27
- 15-Day-ILNick Lodolo (SP) — Reds manager Terry Francona said that Lodolo (finger) will return from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday's road game against the White Sox, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.08/06
- 15-Day-ILHunter Greene (SP) — Reds manager Terry Francona said Thursday that there's "probably a slim chance" Greene (elbow) pitches again this season, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.08/06
- 15-Day-ILTony Santillan (RP) — Santillan (oblique) was cleared Friday to begin an expedited recovery program, MLB.com reports.08/01
- 60-Day-ILBlake Dunn (CF) — The Reds transferred Dunn (elbow) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday.08/06
- 60-Day-ILBrandon Williamson (SP) — Williamson (shoulder/finger) allowed one earned run on two walks and no walks while striking out three over two innings in a rehab start for Double-A Chattanooga on Saturday. The left-hander also hit a batter.08/02
- 60-Day-ILGraham Ashcraft (RP) — Ashcraft (elbow) is on a throwing program, which will have him throw from 105 feet beginning July 20 at the Reds' training facility in Arizona, MLB.com reports.07/18
- 10-Day-ILJames Wood (RF) — The Nationals placed Wood on the 10-day injured list Tuesday due to an oblique strain, Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post reports.08/04
- 10-Day-ILDrew Millas (C) — Milias went 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Red Sox.07/15
- 15-Day-ILConnelly Early (SP) — Early (elbow) will not be sent for an MRI after he felt some minor forearm tightness during a live batting practice session Tuesday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.08/07
- 60-Day-ILDJ Herz (SP) — Herz (elbow) will resume his rehab assignment with Single-A Fredericksburg on Saturday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.08/06
- 60-Day-ILPJ Poulin (RP) — The Nationals transferred Poulin (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.08/02
- 60-Day-ILMitchell Parker (RP) — Parker underwent elbow ligament repair surgery with an internal brace Wednesday, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.07/30
- 60-Day-ILRichard Lovelady (RP) — Lovelady (triceps) began a throwing program shortly after landing on the injured list June 29 and had thrown off flat ground out to 60 feet as recently as July 3, MLB.com reports.07/19
- 60-Day-ILKen Waldichuk (RP) — Waldichuk (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery and an internal brace procedure April 21 and is hopeful to return to game action at some point early in the 2027 season, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.06/11
- 60-Day-ILJosiah Gray (SP) — Gray (elbow) has resumed a throwing program, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.05/08
Washington did snap a bit of the bleeding with a 10-4 outburst against the Phillies, proof the lineup can still erupt when it clicks. But that came sandwiched between three straight losses, and the bullpen situation behind Cavalli remains thin with multiple relievers on extended injured-list stints. Cincinnati, meanwhile, gets to lean on a group that's playing with total confidence after four straight wins.
This is a matchup of momentum against desperation. The Reds are rolling with a beat-up rotation but a lineup that keeps bailing them out, while the Nationals need Cavalli to be the ace they've been waiting on since his draft day promise. Whoever adjusts to the thunderstorm-threatened conditions and shaky bullpens better wins a game that could easily turn into a slugfest at Nationals Park.