Dodgers and Nationals Face Off in Weekend Series

The NL West-leading Dodgers visit the nation's capital to take on the Nationals in a three-game set.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 5:14pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color.A cubist interpretation of the upcoming series between the Dodgers and Nationals, highlighting the strategic and competitive nature of their matchup.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Dodgers, currently atop the NL West standings, are heading to Washington D.C. to take on the Washington Nationals in a three-game series starting on Thursday. Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan is slated to face off against Nationals starter Miles Mikolas in the series opener.

Why it matters

This matchup between two playoff-contending teams in different divisions will provide an early-season test for both squads as they look to position themselves for a postseason run. The Dodgers are seeking to maintain their lead in the competitive NL West, while the Nationals are hoping to gain ground in the NL East.

The details

The three-game series will take place at Nationals Park in Washington D.C., with the first game on Thursday, April 3rd, followed by games on Friday and Saturday. Fans will be able to catch the action on regional sports networks SportsNet LA (Dodgers) and Nationals.TV, as well as the national MLB.TV streaming service.

  • The series begins on Thursday, April 3, 2026.
  • The second game is scheduled for Friday, April 4, 2026.
  • The series concludes on Saturday, April 5, 2026.

The players

Emmet Sheehan

A right-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Miles Mikolas

A right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals.

Los Angeles Dodgers

A Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles, California, and currently leading the NL West division.

Washington Nationals

A Major League Baseball team based in Washington, D.C., and competing in the NL East division.

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What they’re saying

“This is a big series for us as we look to maintain our position atop the division and continue our strong start to the season.”

— Dave Roberts, Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers

“We're excited to host the Dodgers and test ourselves against one of the top teams in the National League.”

— Dave Martinez, Manager, Washington Nationals

What’s next

The winner of the series will gain an early advantage in the race for postseason positioning, with both teams looking to build momentum heading into the summer months.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Dodgers and Nationals features two of the National League's top contenders, setting the stage for an exciting early-season series with potential playoff implications down the road.