Los Angeles @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2012 ) LA Dodgers 0, Washington 0

The Washington Nationals attempt to end a three-game losing streak when they open a three-game series with the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers by playing a doubleheader on Wednesday. The teams were rained out on Tuesday but the Nationals increased their lead over the Atlanta Braves to 5 1/2 games. Washington’s magic number to clinch a wild card spot stands at two. The Dodgers are 1 1/2 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the NL’s second wild card.

Los Angeles swept a three-game series from the Nationals in late April in the only previous meetings this season. The Dodgers got good news on the Clayton Kershaw front on Tuesday. Kershaw received a second opinion on his inflamed right hip and the verdict was that he won’t hurt it any further if he continues pitching this season. Washington has lost nine of its last 11 games against the Dodgers. Nationals outfielder Michael Morse (wrist) will be back in the lineup after a four-game absence.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, KCAL (Los Angeles), Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Aaron Harang (9-9, 3.79 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (10-8, 3.01)

Harang is winless in his last four starts despite allowing three runs or less in each of them. He lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks in his last outing when he gave up three runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. Harang hasn’t faced Washington this season and is 1-2 with a 3.89 ERA in seven career starts against the Nationals.

Zimmermann is 1-2 over his last six starts and his ERA has jumped from 2.35 to 3.01. He took a no-decision against the New York Mets in his last outing when he allowed two runs and six hits in five innings. Zimmermann hasn’t faced Los Angeles this season and gave up six runs in six innings in his lone career start against the Dodgers back in 2009.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals 1B Adam LaRoche is batting just .233 against Harang but six of his seven career hits are for extra bases, including three homers.

2. Dodgers SS Hanley Ramirez is batting .467 in 15 career at-bats against Zimmermann.

3. Washington 2B Danny Espinosa (shoulder) has a chance to play Wednesday after an MRI exam determined his injury is just a bruise.