Chicago @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 5, 2015 ) Chi. Cubs 5, Washington 7

The Chicago Cubs hope to take advantage of an inexperienced starting pitcher to jumpstart their struggling offense when they continue a four-game series with the host Washington Nationals on Saturday. The Nationals will send right-hander Joe Ross to the mound for his major-league debut after evening the series with a 7-5 victory Friday.

The Nationals continue to be wrecked by injuries and, with starters Stephen Strasburg and Doug Fister on the shelf, they turn to the unseasoned Ross to make a spot start. Washington also has lost hot-hitting third baseman Yunel Escobar to a wrist injury for the time being but fortunately got infielder Anthony Rendon back from the disabled list this week to fill the gap. The Cubs have averaged just 2.6 runs over their past 11 contests while going 4-7 but showed signs of breaking out Friday with three home runs – including two by first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Cubs right-hander Jason Hammel looks to continue his dominance against the Nationals — he is 8-0 with a 3.11 ERA in 10 career starts against them and has won five of his six starts at Nationals Park.

TV: 12:05 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, MASN (Washington), WUSA 9 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Jason Hammel (4-2, 2.82 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Joe Ross (NR)

Hammel has seen a spike in his strikeout numbers this season, averaging more than one per inning over his first 10 outings. The 32-year-old racked up a career-high 11 strikeouts in his last turn, holding Miami to one run over 6 2/3 innings to earn the victory on Monday. Hammel is making his fourth straight start on the road, where he is 3-2 with a 3.03 ERA in six outings.

Ross will be the sixth Nationals pitcher to make his big-league debut this season after going 2-2 with a 2.81 ERA in nine starts at Double-A Harrisburg. Ross is 17-20 with a 3.74 ERA in five minor-league seasons and has never pitched above Double-A. The 22-year-old is the younger brother of San Diego right-hander Tyson Ross and was the Padres' first-round pick in 2011.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rizzo is 13-for-36 during a 10-game hitting streak.

2. Rendon has gone 3-for-8 with a double in his first two games of the season.

3. Nationals RF Bryce Harper is hitting .424 with 13 homers and 30 RBIs over his past 26 games but is 0-for-10 with five strikeouts versus Hammel.

PREDICTION: Cubs 6, Nationals 3