San Francisco @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 22, 2014 ) San Francisco 10, Washington 3

The Washington Nationals had their 10-game winning streak halted in the series opener and attempt to start a new stretch of victories when they host the San Francisco Giants on Saturday afternoon. The Giants routed Washington 10-3 on Friday to prevent the Nationals from setting a franchise record for consecutive wins. Washington holds a six-game lead over Atlanta in the National League East while San Francisco is 3 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

The Giants continue to hold the NL’s second wild card by one game over the Braves and are also just one game behind St. Louis for the first wild-card spot. San Francisco starter Tim Lincecum traditionally struggles against the Nationals and is 1-5 with a 6.08 ERA in nine career starts against Washington. Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth smacked a homer in the opener – the first time he has gone deep since July 13.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), MASN2 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Tim Lincecum (10-8, 4.48 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (8-5, 2.97)

Lincecum beat Philadelphia in his last outing to snap a five-start winless stretch. He allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings against the Phillies, marking the fourth time in five starts in which he has pitched five or fewer innings. Lincecum is 1-3 with a 5.76 ERA in five career starts at Nationals Park.

Zimmermann received a no-decision against Arizona in his last turn when he gave up three runs and four hits over seven innings. He has allowed just eight runs over his last five turns, going 2-0 with three no-decisions. Zimmermann is 4-2 with a 2.89 ERA in seven career starts against San Francisco.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants 2B Joe Panik went 4-for-5 with a three-run homer – the first of his career – in Friday’s game.

2. Washington SS Ian Desmond is 10-for-14 with two homers against Lincecum, while 1B Adam LaRoche (6-for-30) has two homers and three doubles.

3. San Francisco RF Hunter Pence (6-for-16 with a homer) and 3B Pablo Sandoval (4-for-10) have fared well against Zimmermann.

PREDICTION: Nationals 8, Giants 6