Milwaukee @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 23, 2012 ) Milwaukee 6, Washington 2

The Milwaukee Brewers look to keep their wild-card hopes alive in the series finale against the host Washington Nationals, who are struggling a bit as they head into the postseason. Milwaukee sits 2 1/2 games behind St. Louis for the second National League wild-card spot, while the Nationals’ magic number to clinch the NL East division stands at six. Washington, which has already clinched a postseason berth, lost for the sixth time in its last nine games Sunday when they were outhit 15-7 and fell 6-2 to the Brewers. Washington leads the division by 4 1/2 games with 10 games to play over Atlanta, which is on the verge of clinching the first wild card.

The Brewers have used a 25-7 stretch over their last 32 games to move into playoff contention, and third baseman Ryan Braun is making a strong push for his second MVP award in as many years. Braun is one stolen base away from his second consecutive 30/30 season and the third in franchise history. He has 29 steals and 40 home runs, and he’s batting .317 after going 6-for-10 in the first three games of the series. The Nationals will continue to use both Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen in the closer’s role, but Storen appears ready to take over. Clippard has 32 saves, but he’s allowed nine runs in his last 7 1/3 innings, while Storen has posted a 0.60 ERA in 18 appearances since Aug. 17.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Marco Estrada (4-6, 3.56 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (11-8, 2.96)

Estrada has been a key part of the Brewers’ playoff push, going 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in his last six starts. He hasn’t given up a run in his last 13 2/3 innings, including Wednesday when he tossed seven scoreless frames against the Pirates. Estrada is 2-4 with a 3.88 ERA on the road this season.

Zimmermann has allowed two or fewer runs in three straight outings, including Wednesday against the Dodgers when he yielded one run over six innings. Aramis Ramirez is 6-for-13 (.462) with one home run against Zimmermann, who has a 1.17 WHIP in 182 2/3 innings this year.

WALK-OFFS

1. Ramirez leads the NL with 49 doubles and he’s four away from tying Lyle Overbay's Brewers record (53 in 2004).

2. Nationals SS Ian Desmond is 35-for-88 (.398) with seven doubles, five home runs and 15 RBIs in 23 games dating to Aug. 29.

3. The Brewers are 4-0-1 over their last five road series and 14-6 over their last 20 road games.