Nats Journal

Nats still waiting for Cavalli to pitch like a front-line starter

After four outings, the Nationals' Opening Day starter is showing off an ace's repertoire, but not one's command

Mark Zuckerman's avatar
Mark Zuckerman
Apr 14, 2026
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Photo by Tessa Sumagui / ALL-PRO REELS

PITTSBURGH – Blake Butera didn’t want to pull Cade Cavalli in the bottom of the second. Both for Cavalli’s sake and for the sake of his bullpen, which has had to log far too many innings already on this road trip and throughout this season’s first three weeks.

But as the young Nationals ace kept falling behind hitter…

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