Nationals at Cubs
The Washington Nationals are making a statement this weekend at Wrigley Field, where they can polish off a three-game sweep Sunday against the host Chicago Cubs. After rolling to a 9-3 win in Friday’s series opener, the Nationals coasted past the Cubs 7-2 on Saturday.
Washington has won four in a row - all by at least five runs - and 11 of its last 13 to solidify its hold on the top wild card slot in the National League. Juan Soto has six runs scored in the series while Howie Kendrick is 7-for-14 with six RBIs over a three-game stretch for the Nationals, who have scored at least seven runs 10 times during their 11-2 surge. The Cubs are going in the other direction with a total of six runs on 12 hits over their last three games, falling 1 1/2 games behind St. Louis in the NL Central race. They'll be hard-pressed to get the bats going Sunday against Washington right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who opposes veteran southpaw Cole Hamels in the finale.
TV: 2:20 p.m. ET, TBS, MASN (Washington), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (15-5, 3.65 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Cole Hamels (7-4, 3.73)
Strasburg will be trying for the second time to obtain a career-high 16th win, getting a no-decision in his first attempt at Pittsburgh on Tuesday despite spinning seven scoreless innings. He has won 12 of his last 14 decisions, a run that began May 18 against the Cubs, whom he held to one earned run in eight innings of a 5-2 victory. The three-time All-Star, who needs nine strikeouts to reach 200 for the third time, has a 2.05 ERA in seven career starts against the Cubs.
Hamels went 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA in his first three starts after returning from an oblique strain before returning to form his last time out. He yielded three runs and five hits over six innings against San Francisco on Tuesday while picking up his first victory since June 12. The 35-year-old has 17 wins against Washington - more than any other opponent.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo left Saturday's game with back tightness.
2. Cubs RF Nicholas Castellanos had two hits Saturday and is batting .385 in 22 games since joining the team.
3. Washington SS Trea Turner has reached base safely in 31 straight games.