Cade Cavalli strikes out nine in win over A’s

Cavalli just keeps getting better. He set the tone by striking out four of the first five batters he faced and never looked back. His 11 punch-outs were the second-most in a start this season and the fifth time he’s reached double digits. A key to his in-season breakout, his improving sweeper was strong against right-handed batters with a nearly 70% strike rate while working as his primary pitch against them. Otherwise, the trio of that pitch, his fastball, and knuckle-curve stymied the Rangers’ lefties and combined to force 12 of his 14 swings-and-misses. He’s completed at least six innings in eight straight starts without allowing more than three runs in any and picked up six wins over that span. That looks something like a league-winner. Next up, he has a two-start week against the Rockies and Marlins, both at home.

Cavalli also walked two batters in the ballgame. He retired the first 15 batters he faced until Dansby Swanson worked him for a walk to open the sixth inning. Cavalli’s no-hit bid was then spoiled by a two-out single from Michael Busch in the seventh. The 27-year-old right-hander got 14 whiffs on 103 pitches on the afternoon, posting a strong CSW of 34 percent. He’ll carry an impressive 3.36 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 151/41 K/BB ratio (136 2/3 innings) into Wednesday’s matchup against the Rangers in Arlington.

A classic good except for the dingers starter, and these were some loud homers: Eugenio Suárez’s homer was 422 feet over the bullpen, Matt McClain’s was 420 feet just to the left of the pen, and Elly De La Cruz went back-to-back on a wall scraper to the opposite field. But Cavalli was able to coax a double play ball from Sal Stewart in the fifth inning when he needed it and otherwise was able to stop the Reds from stringing together a sequence. When a team squares up this fastball, it flies, but the 40 percent whiff rate told the tale for Cavalli today. He’ll draw the Cubs next start.

Cavalli’s fourth straight quality start saw him settle for just three strikeouts, but it wasn’t an issue against the often-punchless Blue Jays. He finishes the month of July 3-0 with a 3.08 ERA in five starts. Next up for him is a start in Atlanta. He fanned 10 while allowing two runs over five innings in his previous start against the Braves back in April.

Coors was no issue for Cavalli. Eddy Yean and Max Kranick finished up the six-hitter after Cavalli got through seven in 90 pitches. It’s Cavalli’s first scoreless start this year, and he’s up to 14th in the majors with 127 strikeouts in 110 2/3 innings. He’ll face the Blue Jays next week.

The Nationals will open the second half with Cavalli on the mound. He’ll be followed by Zack Littell (who has been opened for recently) on Saturday. and Foster Griffin on Sunday. Cavalli’s first half ended with a 3.83 ERA and 110 strikeouts in 98 2/3 innings. He’s been going deeper into starts lately and is a viable 12-team starter against West Sacramento on Friday.

It was Cavalli’s first start since he served a five-game — originally seven-game, but reduced on appeal — suspension for his involvement for the scuffle against the Red Sox the previous week. He exited with a lead, but as has been the case many times for the Nationals in 2026, the bullpen did not get the job done. Cavalli struck out five against one walk while allowing four hits. It seems likely Cavalli will start one of the first games after the break for the Nationals.

Cavalli is eligible to start Sunday’s first-half finale against the Yankees following the five-game ban for his on-field actions against the Red Sox last week. The 27-year-old’s velocity was down and he dealt with some dehydration issues during Sunday’s start against the Pirates where he allowed four runs over 2 1/3 innings of work. The rough outing came on the heels of a brilliant 13-strikeout effort against Boston. There are likely to be fluctuations from a results standpoint with Cavalli, but he’s shown enough upside to merit consideration for a roster spot in most fantasy leagues heading into the second half.

Cavalli also issued two walks while striking out three in the ballgame. After a scoreless inning, the Pirates got to him for three runs in the second, then Bryan Reynolds added a solo shot in the third. He got nine whiffs on 63 pitches in the contest, posting a CSW of 22 percent. He’ll now serve his seven-game suspension and won’t make another start until after the All-Star break.

It sounds like the Nationals are going to take a chance that the appeal on Cavalli’s seven-game suspension for his actions against the Red Sox earlier this week won’t be heard until after the holiday weekend, which is why he’s being moved up to take the ball against the Pirates. They’re ostensibly going to have Cavalli take the ball on regular rest and skip Miles Mikolas, who is also facing a suspension. There’s always the possibility that the league decides to jump in at the last minute, but it appears that Cavalli is going to start later this weekend. He struck out a career-high 13 and allowed one run over seven innings against Boston earlier this week.