Match Preview
The Arizona Diamondbacks visit Nationals Park to face the Washington Nationals on Friday, July 24, 2026. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET.
Arizona enters the series at 53-49, while Washington sits at 51-51. The Diamondbacks have not yet officially confirmed their starting pitcher, while the Nationals are expected to give the ball to right-hander Zack Littell.
Littell enters the matchup with a 7-7 record, a 5.34 ERA and 61 strikeouts. Those numbers present Arizona with an opportunity to establish control offensively, particularly if the Diamondbacks remain patient and force Littell to throw strikes in dangerous parts of the zone.
Washington has played competitive baseball and cannot be overlooked at home. However, Arizona possesses the more dangerous lineup and enters Friday with the stronger overall record.
Even with uncertainty surrounding Arizona’s starting pitcher, the Diamondbacks are the preferred moneyline selection.
Arizona Diamondbacks Analysis
Arizona’s greatest advantage should come at the plate.
The Diamondbacks have enough speed, power and lineup depth to create scoring opportunities in several different ways. They do not need to depend entirely on home runs. Arizona can manufacture runs by reaching base, applying pressure with aggressive baserunning and producing extra-base hits once Washington’s pitchers begin working from the stretch.
That versatility should be valuable against Littell.
The Washington right-hander’s 5.34 ERA indicates that opposing teams have consistently found ways to produce against him. Arizona should avoid becoming overly aggressive during the opening innings. Working deeper counts could help the Diamondbacks increase Littell’s pitch total and create opportunities against Washington’s bullpen earlier than planned.
Arizona also enters the matchup above .500 and remains firmly involved in the National League playoff race. Every victory matters, especially against a Washington team sitting near the break-even mark.
The Diamondbacks must still receive a competent performance from whichever pitcher receives Friday’s assignment. Arizona does not necessarily require seven scoreless innings from its starter, but it cannot afford to surrender a large early deficit.
A five- or six-inning outing with limited damage should be enough if the Arizona lineup performs to its potential.
The Diamondbacks should also benefit from facing a Washington bullpen that has experienced some difficult late-game results. The Nationals recently allowed St. Louis to rally for a 7-6 extra-inning victory, illustrating the risk Washington faces when attempting to protect a narrow advantage.
Washington Nationals Analysis
Washington has enough young offensive talent to make this an uncomfortable matchup for Arizona.
James Wood, Brady House and CJ Abrams recently homered during a six-run eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals. That performance demonstrated the Nationals’ ability to create offence quickly when their most dangerous hitters reach base and receive pitches they can drive.
Abrams can affect the game with both his bat and speed, while Wood provides legitimate power in the heart of the order. Arizona’s pitching staff must avoid issuing unnecessary walks ahead of those hitters.
The larger concern for Washington is run prevention.
Littell’s elevated ERA makes it difficult to trust the Nationals against a capable Arizona lineup. He must locate effectively and avoid leaving pitches over the centre of the plate. If Arizona creates early traffic, Washington may be forced to rely heavily on its bullpen.
The Nationals finished the previous season with one of the National League’s weakest offences and the second-highest team ERA, although their 2026 record suggests that they have taken a meaningful step forward.
Washington is no longer an opponent that can be dismissed automatically. The Nationals have reached the .500 mark and possess several promising hitters capable of changing the game.
However, they remain difficult to support when their starting pitcher enters with an ERA above 5.00 against an Arizona team that has the stronger overall lineup.
Why We Like This Pick
The starting-pitching uncertainty on Arizona’s side prevents this from being a completely comfortable selection. However, the matchup against Littell gives the Diamondbacks a clear offensive opportunity.
Arizona should be able to generate baserunners and force Washington to defend under pressure. Littell’s 5.34 ERA suggests that the Diamondbacks will receive multiple chances to score if they remain disciplined at the plate.
Washington can absolutely produce runs, particularly through Abrams, Wood and House. The Nationals’ young core gives them enough upside to keep the game competitive into the later innings.
The difference should be Arizona’s lineup depth.
The Diamondbacks have more ways to manufacture offence throughout the order, and they should be better positioned to capitalize once Washington turns the game over to its relief staff.
Arizona also enters with the better record and greater urgency in the National League playoff race. The Diamondbacks are the more trustworthy team over nine innings, even if the Nationals produce some early offence.
Final Prediction
Expect both teams to create scoring opportunities, with Washington’s young hitters keeping the game competitive during the opening innings.
Arizona should eventually take advantage of Littell’s inconsistency and produce additional runs against the Nationals bullpen. The Diamondbacks’ deeper lineup should become the deciding factor in a relatively high-scoring series opener.
Final Score Prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks 7, Washington Nationals 4
Official FirePicksHQ Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks Moneyline