Chicago @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2012 ) Chi. Cubs 1, Washington 2
The Washington Nationals have clinched the first winning season for a D.C. baseball team since Ted Williams managed the Senators in 1969, but with the best winning percentage in the majors, the Nationals feel their accomplishments have just begun. They'll try to continue their march toward the franchise's first playoff appearance since the Montreal Expos won the National League East in 1981 when they continue a four-game home series against the Chicago Cubs.
The Nationals held on for a 2-1 victory in Monday's opener for their fifth win in six games. They lead the NL East by 6 1/2 games over Atlanta. The Nationals can continue to march toward the playoffs by beating up on the struggling Cubs, who have lost 25 of 33 overall. Chicago has dropped five straight and 14 of 15 on the road and has the majors' second-worst road mark at 17-49. Washington has won three of four meetings this season.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CS Chicago, MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Chris Rusin (0-1, 1.80 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Edwin Jackson (8-9, 3.53)
Rusin will make his second major-league start in search of his first win. The left-hander was a tough-luck loser in his debut, allowing only one run on one hit and two walks over five innings Aug. 21 against Milwaukee. Rusin was 8-9 with a 4.55 ERA in 25 starts at Triple-A Iowa.
Jackson needs two wins to reach double digits for the fifth straight year. He has recorded three straight quality starts and struck out 29 in 21 innings over that span, but he has only one win to show for it. The victory came Thursday against St. Louis as he held the Cardinals to only one unearned run over eight innings with 10 strikeouts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals 1B Adam LaRoche hit his 25th home run Monday, giving him 25-homer seasons for four different teams. The only other active players to accomplish the feat are Adrian Beltre, Jim Thome and Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano.
2. Washington's Tyler Clippard earned his 30th save Tuesday, joining Drew Storen and Chad Cordero as the only other Nationals pitchers to reach the mark.
3. Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman is riding an eight-game hitting streak.