Chicago @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2012 ) Chi. Cubs 5, Washington 11
In his Washington Nationals debut back in April, Gio Gonzalez lasted just 3 2/3 innings in a disappointing start against the Chicago Cubs. There haven't been many more disappointments for Gonzalez this season, and he'll try to continue his Cy Young-caliber campaign when he faces the Cubs again in the third game of a four-game set at Nationals Park.
Gonzalez is tied for the major-league lead with 17 wins, and he's a big part of the reason Washington holds the best record in the majors and a 7 1/2-game lead over Atlanta in the National League East. Two more games against the Cubs aren't likely to hurt the Nationals' standing, either. Chicago has lost 28 of 34 overall, and it has dropped six straight and 15 of 16 on the road. Washington has won four of five meetings with the Cubs this season.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, MASN
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Chris Volstad (2-9, 6.06 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (17-7, 3.10)
Volstad has won two straight starts since snapping his string of 24 consecutive outings without a victory. After tossing 6 2/3 scoreless innings against the Rockies to break the streak, Volstad came back with 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball against the Giants. Volstad is 5-3 with a 4.77 ERA in 14 starts against the Nationals.
Gonzalez is coming off his first career shutout, a five-hitter against St. Louis, and has surpassed his career high for wins. The left-hander has won four of his last five starts and has gone at least six innings in seven of his last eight outings. Gonzalez is 0-1 with a 10.38 ERA in two starts against the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS
1. With four hits Tuesday, Nationals OF Jayson Werth is hitting .367 with 13 walks and 22 runs scored in 29 games since returning from the disabled list.
2. Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano's 88 RBIs match his best total with Chicago. His career high is 104 RBIs in 2005 with Texas.
3. Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman, who extended his hitting streak to nine games Tuesday, is 13-for-25 (.520) with two homers and six RBIs against Volstad.