Chicago @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 5, 2012 ) Chi. Cubs 1, Washington 9
The Washington Nationals are red-hot, no doubt, but facing the hapless Chicago Cubs and their rookie-laden pitching staff certainly hasn't hurt. The Nationals have outscored opponents 44-21 through the first seven games of their homestand - including back-to-back routs of the Cubs - and they'll try to wrap up a four-game sweep of Chicago on Thursday with right-hander Jordan Zimmermann on the mound.
Zimmermann shut down the Cubs in April but still took the loss despite allowing only one earned run over seven innings. The way the Nationals are swinging the bats, another tough-luck loss seems unlikely. Washington has blasted six home runs in each of the past two games. The Nationals hold the best record in the majors and lead the National League East by 7 1/2 games over Atlanta. The Cubs have lost 29 of their last 35 games. They've dropped seven straight and 16 of 17 on the road.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, MASN2
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Justin Germano (2-5, 6.30 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (9-8, 3.01)
Germano has lost three straight starts and allowed at least five runs in each. He was roughed up for four runs in the first inning Saturday against San Francisco but managed to get through five innings with just one more run. Germano's only start against the Nationals came in 2007, when he allowed three runs over six innings and earned the win.
Zimmermann hit a career high for wins back on Aug. 9, but he is winless in four starts since and he's coming off his worst outing of the year. The right-hander allowed eight runs in 3 2/3 innings Saturday against St. Louis but didn't get a decision in the 10-9 loss. Zimmermann is 0-3 with a 4.68 ERA in four starts against the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman is riding a 10-game hitting streak, his longest of the season.
2. The Nationals are trying to complete their second four-game sweep in a month. They swept four from Houston from Aug. 6-9, with Zimmermann winning the final game of the series.
3. Washington 1B Adam LaRoche is 10-for-19 in the past five games with five homers and nine RBIs during that stretch.