Washington @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 19, 2013 ) Washington 1, Chi. Cubs 11
Coming off one of their best offensive performances of the season, the Chicago Cubs look to keep the runs coming when they continue a four-game series with the visiting Washington Nationals on Tuesday. The Cubs clubbed five home runs in an 11-1 victory Monday, their most-lopsided win of the year. The Nationals look for right-hander Dan Haren to continue his second-half resurgence and quiet Chicago's bats, which posted double-digit runs for only the second time all season.
Monday's outburst ended a dreadful stretch for the Cubs, who had scored a total of 12 runs in their previous eight home contests, including five shutouts. The win was only the second in eight games overall for the Cubs, and their second in their last 11 at home. The Nationals continue to be plagued by a lack of offense, as they are 54-15 when scoring three or more runs and 6-49 when scoring two or fewer.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Washington), CSN Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Dan Haren (7-11, 4.79 ERA) vs. Cubs LH Chris Rusin (2-2, 3.06)
Haren has gone 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA over his last four starts, and he picked up his first career save in Saturday's 15-inning win at Atlanta. In his last start, he limited the Giants to one run on three hits over six innings. The 32-year-old is 1-2 with a 5.58 ERA in five starts against the Cubs but hasn't faced them since 2010.
Rusin continues to make a strong case for the rotation in 2014, as he has recorded quality starts in three of his last four outings. The 26-year-old didn't get any run support last time out, taking the loss after allowing two runs on three hits in six innings against Cincinnati. Rusin would prefer to forget his only previous meeting with Washington, as he allowed five runs and didn't record an out in the second inning in his second big-league start last year.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs will face a right-handed starting pitcher for the 13th consecutive game, and Washington is slated to throw two more righties in the series.
2. With five home runs Monday, the Cubs rank second in the National League with 134 - 80 of which have come at home.
3. Nationals SS Ian Desmond went 2-for-2 with a double, a homer and four RBIs against Rusin last year.
PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Cubs 2