Milwaukee @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 22, 2012 ) Milwaukee 4, Washington 10
Yovani Gallardo has been on quite the roll and the Milwaukee Brewers will need him to continue on that route if they are to get where they want to go. The right-hander will look to extend his career-best winning streak to nine on Sunday as visiting Milwaukee continues its four-game series with Washington. The Nationals evened the set at a game apiece after Ryan Zimmerman and Ian Desmond belted three-run homers en route to a 10-4 triumph on Saturday.
The loss was just the seventh in 31 outings for the Brewers, who trail St. Louis by 2 1/2 games in the race for the second wild card. Washington, which has already clinched a postseason berth, has won just three of its last eight. The Nationals' magic number to clinch the NL East title sits at six.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FSWI (Milwaukee), MASN2 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (16-8, 3.59 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Chien-Ming Wang (2-3, 6.92)
Gallardo's last loss this season came at the expense of Washington. The 26-year-old Mexican dropped to 3-2 in his career versus the Nationals after getting torched for seven runs on as many hits in five innings in an 8-2 setback on July 26. Despite his favorable results, Gallardo has issued three or more walks in four of his last five outings.
Wang tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings in his return to the action on Wednesday following a two-month absence due to a strained right hip. The Taiwan native is receiving the spot start as opposed to Jordan Zimmermann being ushered out on short rest. Wang hasn't fared well when he starts this season, going 1-3 with a gaudy 6.62 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. Milwaukee OF Norichika Aoki is riding a 12-game hitting streak, but is just 6-for-23 in his career versus Nationals' pitching.
2. Washington's Adam LaRoche tied a career high with his 32nd homer on Saturday. LaRoche has fared well versus Gallardo, going 7-for-22 with a pair of homers in his career.
3. Reigning NL MVP Ryan Braun needs one stolen base to record his second consecutive 30/30 season. Braun has 40 homers and 29 steals this season.