Cubs vs. Nationals Lineup: No Ian Happ, Pedro Ramírez at 3B, A Nats Pitching Debut

The Chicago Cubs are looking to win the series after a comeback effort on Tuesday against the Nationals.

Aug 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher David Peterson (19) pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Washington Nationals know how to put runs on the board, and the Chicago Cubs were reminded of that early Tuesday. They quickly found themselves playing from behind but were able to take advantage of the team's overall pitching woes. Several long balls ended up getting them back in control, and they didn't look back from there.

This should be another good opportunity to capitalize on the inexperienced pitching. Jackson Kent is a 23-year-old who has yet to see the mound in the bigs. Meanwhile, Chicago will have a red-hot David Peterson ready to force some weak contact.

Game Info

Who: Chicago Cubs (70-50) at Washington Nationals (59-62)
Where: Nationals Park – Washington, DC
When: 5:45 PM CT
Watch: Marquee Sports Network
Listen: 104.3 The Score, TUDN, WPPN 106.7 / TUDN

Chicago Cubs Lineup

1. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
2. Seiya Suzuki, RF
3. Alex Bregman, DH
4. Carson Kelly, C
5. Michael Bush, 1B
6. Nico Hoerner, 2B
7. Tyrone Taylor, LF
8. Pedro Ramírez, 3B
9. Dansby Swanson, SS

The Chicago Cubs will give Alex Bregman a day off in the field, putting Pedro Ramirez at third base after he wasn't in the starting lineup the last three games. The rookie has finally come back down to earth a bit, hitting just .167 in his last 18 at-bats. Nevertheless, he's still hitting .310 over his last 15 games, so let's see if he can get back on track this evening in the nation's capital.

Tyrone Taylor is also set to make another start in left field. Craig Counsell said he would begin to use the recently-acquired outfielder in a platoon with Ian Happ against lefties. This will be only his fifth start since coming to the Cubs from the Mets at the trade deadline.

Can the Cubs find similar success in the power department tonight? Each of the top three players in the order is coming off hitting a homer. Crow-Armstrong's was particularly noteworthy, as it sailed 437 feet.

Washington Nationals Lineup

1. Dylan Crews, RF
2. Andres Chaparro, 1B
3. Brady House, 3B
4. C.J. Abrams, SS
5. Harry Ford, C
6. Andrew Picknkey, LF
7. Jacob Young, CF
8. Daylen Lile, DH
9. Nasim Nuñez, 2B

On the Mound ...

Aug 6, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher David Peterson (19) delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Cubs – David Peterson, LHP

This should be a pretty interesting matchup for David Peterson. On the one hand, this Nationals team knows how to hit their way on base, and Peterson will allow his fair share of contact. On the other hand, Peterson is all about inducing ground balls and has done so at an elite rate in these past few starts. He has a 1.57 ERA over his last five games, looking like a perfect starter to have in front of this Cubs defense.

The fact that fellow lefty Shota Imanaga struggled a little early on could be a bad sign ... but only time will tell!

Nationals – Jackson Kent, LHP

The Washington Nationals gave Jackson Kent the call after DFA'ing Miles Mikolas. Kent is the No. 8 prospect in the organization's system, per MLB Pipeline. The lefty is said to have some decent movement on his fastball but is best known for throwing a big-time change-up. Regardless, with this being his first-ever taste of the bigs, this experienced Cubs team has to jump all over him.

For what it's worth, Kent has a 3.72 ERA across Double-A and Triple-A this season.

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