Jake Irvin to work behind an opener on Sunday

Intending to work behind an opener, Cornelio had to come on and relieve Jared Simpson in the first inning after he walked four of the first six batters he faced with one single between them. That immediately forced Cornelio into a pressure-packed situation with the bases loaded, one out, and two runs home already. He got out of that jam though and was able to keep the Phillies off the board for a few more frames. Will Dion came on after him and struck out two also without allowing a run in 2 2/3 innings. The Nationals continue to deploy these two in bulk outings and each are likely to get one or two more before the season’s over, the next probably coming against the Tigers on the road next week.

Cornelio served as the opener for the Nationals. He tossed two scoreless innings, stranding one hit and one walk while striking out four batters. Jake Irvin took over the third and gave up three runs across five frames. Cornelio has been effective as the opener over his last two outings, striking out eight over five innings. Irvin’s next start is scheduled to come on Saturday against the Cardinals in St. Louis.

Cornelio opened Tuesday’s contest against the Padres with three perfect frames on 36 pitches. He tossed 24 for strikes and collected four strikeouts before he was relieved on the mound in the fourth. The 26-year-old right-hander will likely revert to a long relief role out of the bullpen.

Irvin gave up eight hits, including a pair of run-scoring singles by Jackson Merrill, to wind up on the hook for his ninth loss of the year. He struck out three and only issued two walks. The 29-year-old is not a recommended fantasy option when he takes the ball against the Angels to wrap up a two-start week on Sunday.

Cornelio has a 5.40 ERA in 20 innings out of the bullpen for the Nationals this season. He will serve in a multi-inning relief role.

Irvin gave up five hits, walked one and struck out five. It’s the third time in his last five starts that he’s failed to complete five innings. Irvin hasn’t won a start since May 23 against the Braves, a span of seven starts. He has a 5.57 ERA. Irvin is lined up to face the Padres on the road next week, but he’s not worth the risk for fantasy managers.

He allowed just one earned run. It could have been worse, but Tom Cosgrove stranded a pair of inherited runners. Irvin’s ERA falls to 5.62. He did strike out six, at least, but it’s hard to recommend anyone who walks six Rockies in any sort of fantasy baseball role.

Irvin dropped to 0-4 with a 7.01 ERA in five starts since coming off the injured list. We’ve suggested it for years, but the Nationals really ought to take a late look at Irvin in short relief here. At 24-42 with a 5.06 ERA in four years as a starting pitcher, he’s almost certainly looking at getting non-tendered this winter.

Irvin struck out six but didn’t pitch well enough to win. He now has a 5.80 ERA on the season. While Washington has turned its franchise around offensively, there’s still work to do on the rotation. The 29-year-old made 33 starts in back-to-back seasons entering 2026, but he’s unlikely to be part of the team’s future plans. He’s lined up for a road game in Miami next time out.

Irvin has essentially alternated quality starts with clunkers of the past two months, and this one qualifies as the latter. He gave four hits — one of those a homer by Pete Crow-Armstrong — and walked two while striking out four against the tough Cubs’ lineup. Irvin now has a 5.79 ERA on the season, and it would be foolish to trust him as a fantasy streamer against the Mets on Sunday.