Orioles at Nationals
The Washington Nationals have seized control of the National League wild-card race behind a thundering offense that has lit up the opposition for 41 runs during a five-game winning streak. Winners of 12 of their last 14 contests, Washington will open an eight-game homestand with the first of two against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night.
With the lowly Miami Marlins coming to town following the visit from Baltimore, the Nationals have a chance to widen their four-game gap atop the wild-card chase. Third baseman Anthony Rendon, the team leader in batting average (.329), homers (29) and RBIs (104), is batting .415 during a 12-game hitting streak and was named NL Player of the Week on Monday. "I'll make a case for him right now, yeah. MVP, Gold Glove," manager Dave Martinez said Sunday after Rendon went 6-for-12 in a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs. Jonathan Villar homered in three straight games for the Orioles, who have won four of six and outscored Tampa Bay 15-4 over their past two contests to salvage a split of a four-game set.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Aaron Brooks (3-7, 6.21 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Patrick Corbin (10-5, 3.17)
Brooks needed a solid outing to maintain his hold on a spot in the rotation and he delivered it last time out, snapping a three-start losing streak by allowing one run and seven hits over five innings against Kansas City. The 29-year-old went 0-4 in his previous five turns, getting knocked around for 28 runs and 36 hits (seven homers) over 22 innings. Brooks allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings versus Washington on July 17 and has allowed 16 runs in three roads starts with Baltimore.
Corbin extended his undefeated streak to a dozen starts with a stellar effort last time out in Pittsburgh, earning the victory by permitting three hits over eight scoreless innings. It was the 10th quality start during the unbeaten run, a span in which the 30-year-old has allowed more than two runs on only two occasions. Villar is 7-for-13 versus Corbin, who has been sensational at Nationals Park this year with a 6-1 record, 1.76 ERA and .199 batting average against.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals SS Trea Turner has reached base safely in 32 consecutive games.
2. Orioles DH Renato Nunez is 9-for-16 during a five-game hitting streak.
3. Nationals 2B Howie Hendrick is 8-for-15 during a four-game hitting streak.