Orioles at Nationals
The Washington Nationals strengthened their grip on the top wild card despite minimal contributions from ace right-hander Max Scherzer, who will make only his third start since the All-Star break when he takes the mound against the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night. Baltimore ended Washington's five-game winning streak with a 2-0 win in the series opener.
Three-time Cy Young Award winner Scherzer is riding an 11-start undefeated streak for the Nationals, who lost for only the third time in 15 games. Shortstop Trea Turner extended a pair of streaks for Washington, hitting safely in 10 straight games while reaching base in 33 in a row. The Orioles, who entered the series with the worst ERA in baseball (5.84), shut down a red-hot offense that had scored 85 runs in its previous nine contests. Hanser Alberto is 5-for-9 during a three-game hitting streak for Baltimore, which is vying for a season high-tying fourth straight win in the series finale.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Baltimore), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Asher Wojciechowski (2-6, 4.67 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (9-5, 2.41)
Wojciechowski is winless in five starts this month, posting an 0-3 record and 6.00 ERA, although he had a solid effort in a no-decision at Tampa Bay last time out by permitting two runs and five hits over five innings. He has pitched beyond five innings just once during the August drought and has been plagued by the long ball, surrendering nine of his 14 home runs. Wojciechowski took the loss against Washington on July 16 with 5 1/3 innings of three-run ball.
Scherzer was not overpowering in his return from a four-week absence due to a mid-back strain, but he yielded only a solo home run among four hits in four innings at Pittsburgh on Thursday. He had won his final seven starts leading up to the All-Star break in dominant fashion, allowing a combined five runs and racking up 79 strikeouts while pitching at least seven innings in each. Scherzer is 6-2 with a 2.85 ERA against the Orioles but has struggled against Chris Davis (10-for-30).
WALK-OFFS
1. Turner has 14 multiple-hit games in August and is batting .357 for the month.
2. Orioles RHP Hunter Harvey has seven strikeouts during four scoreless appearances to start his career.
3. Nationals closer Sean Doolittle will pitch a simulated game Wednesday.