Washington @ Chicago preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 10, 2011 ) Washington 2, Chi. Cubs 4

THE STORY: Back on track after a brief two-game skid, the Chicago Cubs aim to cap a seven-game homestand in style Thursday afternoon when they face Washington in the final game of their three-game series. The contest is a makeup of Monday's scheduled series opener, which was rained out. Chicago salvaged a split of the first two games with a 4-2 victory Wednesday after the Nationals took Tuesday's matchup, 3-1.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MASN 2 (Washington), Comcast Sports (Chicago)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (7-9, 3.12) vs. Cubs RH Ryan Dempster (9-8, 4.87)

Zimmermann has bounced back from a pair of rough outings in late July, allowing just two runs over his last 11 2/3 innings. He was a winner in his most recent start, striking out eight in a victory over Colorado on August 5 (5 2/3 IP, 4 H, 2 ER). Zimmermann did not factor in the decision when he faced the Cubs on July 4, giving up four runs and eight hits over six innings in a 5-4 Washington win. Chicago hitters are a combined 12-for-30 (.400) against Zimmermann.

Dempster has slowly gotten more and more effective after a dismal start to the year, winning four of his last six starts — but he was fortunate to escape with a win in his last start against Cincinnati August 5 after yielding six walks in six innings. The Nationals may be Dempster's favorite opponent — he is 8-1 with a 2.97 ERA and two saves in 22 career games (14 starts) against Washington. About the only hitter in the Nationals' lineup Dempster hasn't been able to solve is 3B Ryan Zimmerman, who is 5-for-13 (.385) against him.

ABOUT THE NATIONALS (56-60): Washington has the misfortune of sharing a division with the National League's two best teams in Philadelphia and Atlanta, but it has held its own otherwise, sporting a 38-34 mark outside of the NL East. The Nationals are led offensively by 1B Michael Morse, who paces the club with a .320 batting average, 20 home runs and 68 runs batted in, and 3B Ryan Zimmerman (.297), who extended his hitting streak to 18 games Wednesday.

ABOUT THE CUBS (50-67): Though it certainly won't matter in the National League playoff race, Chicago has been one of the game's hottest teams of late, winning eight of its last 10 games. The offense has been carrying the load during much of that stretch, scoring 57 runs, and the Cubs have been leaning on the long ball against Washington, scoring four of its five runs in the series on solo home runs. SS Starlin Castro, the team's lone All-Star, leads the way with a .313 batting average. Three different players have at least 20 home runs, led by 1B Carlos Peña's 21.

FINAL PITCH: Chicago 3B Aramis Ramirez, a late scratch with back spasms on Tuesday, was back in the lineup Wednesday but went 0-for-4.