Washington @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 23, 2011 ) Washington 6, LA Dodgers 7

THE STORY: The Washington Nationals look to win a rare series in Los Angeles when they conclude a three-game series with the Dodgers on Sunday. Washington has lost 14 of its 19 games at Dodger Stadium since becoming the Nationals in 2005. The Dodgers handed the Nationals their seventh straight loss in games decided by one run when they scored in the bottom of the ninth Saturday and escaped with a 7-6 win.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MASN2, Prime Ticket

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jason Marquis (8-4, 3.92 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Chad Billingsley (8-8, 4.07 ERA)

Marquis, who gave up two runs while striking out nine over eight innings last Monday in Houston, is two wins shy of recording a double-digit win total for the seventh time in eight seasons. The Nationals are 13-5 in Marquis’ last 18 starts. Billingsley gave up five runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings last Monday at San Francisco. He is 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA in five career starts against Washington. Billingsley has a 2.43 ERA and a .231 opponents’ batting average in nine home starts.

ABOUT THE NATIONALS (49-51): Michael Morse went 2-for-4 with an RBI double in the first inning Saturday to extend his hitting streak to seven games. He is hitting .414 (12-for-29) with five doubles, two home runs and five RBIs since July 16. Morse entered the weekend in the top eight in the National League in batting (.312), and he’s near the team lead in both home runs (17) and RBIs (54). There’s been some talk that the Nationals could deal shortstop Ian Desmond, but it doesn’t appear he’s available. Despite hitting just .228, the 25-year-old is still considered part of the team’s long-term future. The Nationals are reportedly interested in Rays center fielder B.J. Upton third baseman, and his childhood friend Ryan Zimmerman would love to see it happen. Upton is hitting .232 with 15 home runs and 52 RBIs, and he would fill the Nationals’ need for a leadoff hitter and everyday starting center fielder.

ABOUT THE DODGERS (44-56): The Dodgers' Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier carried the Los Angeles offense for the first half of the season, but the two outfielders are struggling since the All-Star break. Kemp is hitting .195 in the last 11 games, while Ethier is is hitting .171 over that same span. Shortstop Rafael Furcal isn’t helping matters, either. Before he slugged a walk-off double to win Saturday’s game, Furcal was 5-for-49 (.102) since July 3, when he came off the disabled list for the second time this season. The 33-year-old Furcal has missed 63 games this season due to injuries. Reliever Kenley Jansen is showing why some believe he could be the Dodgers’ closer next season. He struck out all four batters he faced on Friday and ran his scoreless streak to 13 innings since coming off the disabled list. Jansen also has an impressive 56 strikeouts in 34 innings.

FINAL PITCH: The Dodgers are 20-6 in Billingsley’s last 26 home starts against a team with a losing record.