The Cubs look to inch closer to their first playoff berth since 2020 with a win over the Nationals on Friday afternoon, as "Friday Night Baseball" heads to Wrigley Field.
Chicago's tandem of All-Star outfielders — Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker — have each struggled in the second half of the season. But Tucker, on the doorstep of free agency, seems to heating up at the most opportune time. Tucker hit .438 with three home runs on the team's recent nine-game road trip, equaling his power output from the previous 44 games.
That certainly bodes well for the Cubs, who relied on their high-powered offense to establish themselves as legitimate World Series contenders earlier in the season.
While it's been a down year for the Nationals, they have their own promising young outfielder to lead their rebuild. James Wood, the centerpiece of the team's Juan Soto trade, is a first-time All-Star with effortless raw power and a sweet left-handed swing.
The Sporting News gets you set for Cubs vs. Nationals, with TV and live stream information to watch "Friday Night Baseball."
What channel is Cubs vs. Nationals on today?
- TV channel: N/A
- Live stream: Apple TV+
Cubs vs. Nationals will not air on traditional broadcast television today. Instead, viewers can stream the game exclusively on Apple TV+ which is the home for "Friday Night Baseball."
Apple TV+ offers viewers a seven-day free trial. Once the trial period ends, subscription plans begin at just $12.99 in the U.S. and $14.99 in Canada.
Fans can access Apple TV+ through the Apple TV+ app, which is available on most smart TVs, streaming devices, and gaming consoles.
Cubs vs. Nationals start time
- Date: Friday, Sept. 5
- Time: 2:20 p.m. ET | 1:20 p.m. CT
First pitch of Cubs vs. Nationals is set for 2:20 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 5.
The game will be played at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Apple TV+ 'Friday Night Baseball' schedule 2025
Apple and MLB have released the "Friday Night Baseball" schedule for the rest of the regular season, which you can see below.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 5 | Nationals at Cubs | 2:20 p.m. |
| Brewers at Pirates | 6:40 p.m. | |
| Sept. 12 | Yankees at Red Sox | 7:10 p.m. |
| Angels at Mariners | 10:10 p.m. | |
| Sept. 19 | Blue Jays at Royals | 7:40 p.m. |
| Giants at Dodgers | 10:10 p.m. | |
| Sept. 26 | Tigers at Red Sox | 7:10 p.m. |