1 game · 2 starters · Updated Jul 4, 12:24 PM ET
Two-game holiday slate, so the options are exactly what they are. Ashcraft is the cleaner projection — 5.9 Ks over 5.6 innings against Washington, high confidence, though the matchup grades unfavorable, which keeps a ceiling on the upside. Palmquist's season ERA of 2.08 is the eye-catcher, and his 5.4 projected Ks in 5.1 innings against Pittsburgh comes with lower projected earned runs (2.2), but low confidence and 10 days of extended rest flag real rust risk. On a two-game slate this thin, neither arm is without a meaningful caveat — Ashcraft's projection reliability is the differentiator.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs Washington Nationals
| Date | IP | H | ER | BB | K | HR | P | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-29 | 6.0 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 97 | W |
| 2026-06-24 | 6.0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 86 | W |
| 2026-06-17 | 6.0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 93 | W |
| 2026-06-12 | 5.0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 90 | — |
| 2026-06-06 | 5.0 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 86 | L |
Washington Nationals vs Pittsburgh Pirates
| Date | IP | H | ER | BB | K | HR | P | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-24 | 3.3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 58 | — |
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