The Washington Nationals may still be in the middle of a rebuild, but flashes of brilliance are keeping fans excited. Sitting third in the National League East with a 14-17 record, the team has found a bright spot in right-hander Cade Cavalli, who is delivering performances reminiscent of a three-time Cy Young winner.

In a dominant outing against the New York Mets, Cavalli threw six innings of two-run ball, striking out 10 batters while walking just two. The Nationals' offense provided plenty of support, erupting for 14 runs in a 14-2 victory, giving Cavalli the cushion he needed to shine. He threw 97 pitches, with 69 finding the strike zone.

This marks Cavalli's second consecutive start with 10 strikeouts, following a similar performance against the Atlanta Braves on April 23, where he fanned 10 over five innings. According to the Nationals' communications department, the last Washington pitcher to achieve back-to-back 10-strikeout starts was Max Scherzer in July 2020. That's elite company for a pitcher still finding his footing after Tommy John surgery in 2024.

Cavalli has quickly become the de facto ace of the Nationals' staff following the trade of left-hander MacKenzie Gore to the Texas Rangers. Through seven starts, he holds a 3.82 ERA and has struck out 38 batters over 30.2 innings. If he keeps this pace, he's on track to surpass his career high of 10 starts, showing the kind of growth that makes rebuilding seasons worthwhile.

For Nationals fans and baseball enthusiasts alike, Cavalli's rise is a story of resilience and promise—a reminder that even in a tough season, stars can be born.