Nats' Cade Cavalli takes mound vs. Pirates as he awaits suspension appeal
The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to keep manufacturing runs as they go for a series win on the road against the Washington Nationals on Sunday.
In Saturday's 7-1 win, the Pirates did all their damage without an extra-base hit. Pittsburgh had 11 singles -- four of which didn't leave the infield -- and stole four bases.
The ability to generate offense by stringing together hits, taking extra bases and swiping bags is a trait Pirates manager Don Kelly said has become a strength.
"We have a lot of resilience," Kelly said. "We've talked about how we've shown the ability to bounce back."
The Pirates shook up their bullpen prior to Saturday's game. Evan Sisk (left elbow inflammation) was placed on the 15-day injured list, and Hunter Stratton was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. The right-handed reliever developed a two-seam fastball while in the minors.
"(It's) something that goes arm-side," Stratton said. "I think it's really going to help me moving forward."
The Pirates selected Stratton in the 16th round of the 2017 MLB Draft and he appeared in 47 games between 2023 and 2025. He was reacquired in a trade with the Braves on June 18 and is looking forward to helping stabilize the Pirates' bullpen.
"Everybody has been great," Stratton said. "They've welcomed me. I'm just happy to be back. I can go out there, have quick innings and fill up the zone. Just help in any way I can."
Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.62 ERA) is scheduled to start for Pittsburgh. The right-hander's last outing was in an 8-0 road loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday. Chandler allowed five earned runs -- his most since April 23 -- on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings.
He's made one career start against the Nationals and is 0-0 with a 1.50 ERA. He has walked none and struck out seven. Chandler has lasted at least five innings in his last eight starts.
The Nationals are set to give the ball to right-hander Cade Cavalli (5-4, 3.69), who tossed a gem in his last outing. Cavalli held the Boston Red Sox to one run on one hit with no walks and 13 strikeouts in an 8-1 win on Tuesday.
Cavalli is making the start as he appeals a seven-game suspension issued after a bench-clearing incident against the Red Sox which resulted from him taunting Willson Contreras after striking him out.
Cavalli has two career starts against the Pirates and is 0-1 with a 9.95 ERA. His last appearance against Pittsburgh was on April 13 where he was tagged with the loss, lasting 1 1/3 innings and giving up four runs on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts.
After James Wood crushed a first-pitch fastball to deep right field in the first inning on Saturday, the Nationals' bats went quiet. Wood's 23rd homer accounted for the lone extra-base hit of the six hits Washington managed.
Nationals manager Blake Butera said he wants the club's leadoff hitter to get as many at-bats as possible.
"Woody is a really good hitter," Butera said. "When we get him up to the plate as many times as possible, we like our chances."
After piling up 12 hits in the 9-5 series-opening win, Wood said the Washington hitters have to wisely choose the pitches they want to drive.
"We need to take the same approach," Wood said. "Be disciplined and get a good pitch to hit."
--Field Level Media
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This story was originally published July 5, 2026 at 12:10 AM.