Baltimore @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( May 30, 2018 ) Washington 2, Baltimore 0

Although the offense has been mostly responsible for the Washington Nationals' recent 1-6 slide, the bullpen has played a role in two of the losses. The Nationals made a move Monday to fortify themselves in the latter area and hope facing one of the worst pitching staffs in the majors will help correct the former when they begin a three-game set at home Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles.

Washington traded three minor-leaguers to Kansas City on Monday to acquire Royals closer Kelvin Herrera, one day after three of its four relievers gave up runs in an 8-6 loss that finalized a three-game sweep in Toronto by the Blue Jays. The losing streak reached four as the Nationals went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position during Monday's 4-2 setback against the New York Yankees in a make-up game from last month - the fourth time in seven contests Washington scored two or fewer runs. Washington took care of business last month when it visited Baltimore, however, pitching a pair of shutouts against its interleague rival while outscoring it 11-2 during a three-game sweep. The Orioles (20-50), who owns the worst record in baseball and whose 4.87 staff ERA ranks 26th in the majors, is entering this series following an off-day after ending a nine-game losing streak by beating Miami.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN 2 (Baltimore), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH David Hess (2-3, 4.13 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Jefry Rodriguez (0-0, 0.00)

After delivering three straight quality starts, Hess struggled through the worst of his six big-league outings last Tuesday against Boston - surrendering five runs on five hits and four walks across 3 1/3 innings. The Tennessee Tech product had given up a total of two runs - both on solo shots - on 13 hits over 18 2/3 frames before his poor showing. One of his starts during that stretch came in a hard-luck loss versus Washington on May 30, when he permitted one run and four hits over six innings.

Rodriguez is set to make his first big-league start after dominating at Double-A Harrisburg over his last three turns, permitting a total of four unearned runs on four hits while striking out 21 across 16 innings over that stretch. The 24-year-old Dominican made his major-league debut in long relief against Atlanta on June 3, tossing 4 2/3 scoreless frames after Jeremy Hellickson was forced from the game after four pitches. Rodriguez is 5-3 with a 3.31 ERA in 13 starts overall at Harrisburg.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals rookie OF Juan Soto has reached base safely in 21 of his first 25 career games and went 6-for-11 against the Orioles last month.

2. Sunday's 10-run outburst against the Marlins was the first time in 20 contests Baltimore scored more than five runs.

3. Washington OF Michael Taylor enters the opener with a nine-game hitting streak and is batting .357 with 11 extra-base hits, 10 RBIs and 10 steals over his last 23 games.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Orioles 3