Nationals at White Sox
The Washington Nationals were one of the biggest disappointments in the major leagues through 50 games due in part to a sputtering offense, but their recent surge at the plate may be putting them in a position to put some pressure on their rivals in the National League East. The Nationals take aim at a 12th victory in 16 games on Monday, when they visit the Chicago White Sox for the opener of their two-game interleague series.
Washington averaged 3.7 runs over the final 39 contests of its 19-31 start, leaving the team 10 games out of first place in the division following a fifth straight setback on May 23. No NL team has scored more runs since then (132), and the Nationals put an exclamation point on their improved play over the last 2 1/2 weeks in Sunday's 5-2 win over San Diego as they belted four consecutive home runs in the eighth inning to break open a tie game. Part of Washington's offensive resurgence came last week at the expense of the White Sox, who gave up 15 runs en route to being swept in the nation's capital. Chicago dropped its series opener against Kansas City on Friday but recovered in time to take the final two games of the set behind well-pitched performances by Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Anibal Sanchez (1-6, 4.19 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Odrisamer Despaigne (2018: 2-3, 6.69)
Sanchez will get his second straight look at the White Sox after settling for a no-decision against them on Wednesday, when he yielded one run while registering seven strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. The 35-year-old appears to have turned a corner over his last three outings, allowing one run and six hits while fanning 16 batters in 12 2/3 frames. Jose Abreu (13-for-26, nine RBIs) and Yoan Moncada (2-for-6) both have hit a pair of homers against Sanchez, who is 3-6 with a 4.41 ERA in 16 career appearances (13 starts) versus Chicago.
Despaigne reportedly will make his team debut after signing with Chicago - his fifth major-league team - as a free agent last month. The 32-year-old Cuban split last season between Miami and Los Angeles, going 2-0 with a 5.31 ERA in 11 games (one start) with the Marlins and 0-3 with an 8.20 mark in eight appearances (four turns) with the Angels. Despaigne has spent 2019 with the Triple-A affiliates of Cincinnati and Chicago, going 3-3 with a 3.34 ERA in 12 games (11 starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Nationals on Sunday became the first team in major-league history to hit four consecutive home runs in a game more than once. They are responsible for the only two such performances since 2010.
2. Moncada finished 4-for-5 on Sunday and is batting .338 on a stretch during which he has hit safely in 15 of 16 games.
3. Washington is averaging 6.1 runs during its recent offensive surge.