Chicago @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 6, 2011 ) Chi. Cubs 4, Washington 5
THE STORY: The Washington Nationals have been winning more often than not lately, though they don’t appear to be big fans of blowing out the competition. The Nationals have taken the first three games of the series from the Chicago Cubs - all by one run - and have had nine of their last 10 wins come by a run. The Cubs have dropped five of six this month but are at least assured of not going into the All-Star break in last place thanks to their five-game lead over the Houston Astros in the National League Central. Chicago will be looking to avoid the sweep when it sends Matt Garza to the mound Thursday night in the finale of the four-game series at Washington.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), MASN2 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Livan Hernandez (5-8, 3.73 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Matt Garza (4-7, 3.77).
Hernandez has been strong in two straight outings, allowing three runs in 13 2/3 innings while striking out 15. The ageless Cuban has not lost since June 9 at San Diego, going 2-0 in his last four turns. Hernandez has made 22 career starts against Chicago, posting an 11-7 record with a 4.16 ERA. Garza continues to be one of the few bright spots for the Cubs, though it has not shown up much in the win column. The 27-year old righthander went the full nine innings against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, allowing one run on four hits while striking out seven, but still suffered the loss in a 1-0 final. He has faced Washington only once in his career, going 5 2/3 innings and yielding three runs in a no decision on June 12, 2009.
ABOUT THE NATIONALS (45-43): Washington manager Davey Johnson improved to 5-5 in his tenure as his team pushed back to two games over .500 with Wednesday’s 5-4 triumph. Johnson, who has been trying for days to break his team out of a funk with runners in scoring position, went the unconventional rout Wednesday by calling for a suicide squeeze in the seventh inning. The play worked, leading to the deciding run. Still, the Nationals finished the game 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position. Part of the problem are the continued struggles of Jayson Werth, who was dropped to sixth in the lineup Wednesday but still went 0-for-4 to drop his average to .218.
ABOUT THE CUBS (35-53): With two straight wins, the Kansas City Royals have slipped past Chicago in the overall standings, leaving only the Astros (30-58) between the Cubs and the Major League Baseball basement. The anti-Nationals in regards to close games, Chicago’s last four setbacks have come by a one run. The Cubs have found strange ways to lose in the current series, surrendering a walk-off wild pitch Monday, letting Washington take the lead with a two-run error Tuesday and the suicide squeeze Wednesday. At least Carlos Pena keeps raising his trade value. The slugging first baseman, who should be at the top of the list when Chicago begins to sell, hit his 18th homer Wednesday.
FINAL PITCH: National second baseman Danny Espinosa is putting up some strong numbers in his rookie season. The former third-round pick leads all first-year players and all second baseman with 16 home runs and pushed his RBI total to 50 with his two-run blast Wednesday.