Arizona @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( May 13, 2018 ) Washington 6, Arizona 4

The Washington Nationals' season appeared to be spiraling out of control late last month, with the club residing perilously close to the cellar of the National League East. The Nationals' fortunes soon changed, however, as they won 12 of their last 17 heading into the opener of a four-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Anthony Rendon went deep twice in Tuesday's 7-5 setback to the Chicago White Sox, boosting his total to three homers with six RBIs and four runs scored during his five-game hitting streak. The 29-year-old could be licking his chops with Washington set to begin an 11-game homestand, as he is batting a robust .363 with 19 extra-base hits (10 doubles, one triple, eight homers) at Nationals Park. Arizona's Ketel Marte is faring well at the plate in his own right, collecting multi-hit performances in each of his last three contests and is batting 11-for-28 with three homers, four RBIs and six runs scored during his six-game hitting streak. Marte and his teammates will get a first look at Washington's Erick Fedde, while Arizona counters with fellow right-hander Zack Greinke.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, MASN2 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (7-2, 2.87 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Erick Fedde (1-0, 2.93)

Greinke, who exited his previous start with a sore neck, appeared to benefit from an extra day of rest to scatter four hits over six innings in a 6-0 win over Toronto on Saturday. The victory was the first in a four-start stretch for the 2009 American League Cy Young Award recipient, who owns a 4-2 mark on the road while limiting the opposition to batting .208 in eight starts. Rendon (1-for-9) and Matt Adams (2-for-15, six strikeouts) have struggled against Greinke, who sports a 5-1 record with a 1.46 ERA and 0.91 WHIP versus Washington.

Fedde has acquitted himself well in his four starts since joining the rotation, posting a 1-0 mark with a 2.70 ERA. The 26-year-old received his second straight no-decision on Friday despite surrendering three runs on five hits in six innings at San Diego. Fedde has seen his pitch count elevate in each of his last six trips to the mound, although he did not walk a batter against the Padres after issuing three free passes in each of his previous two outings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Arizona 3B Eduardo Escobar has 13 hits -- including seven for extra bases -- to go along with nine RBIs and nine runs scored in his last nine games.

2. Washington 2B Howie Kendrick has scored 10 runs in his last eight contests.

3. Diamondbacks SS Nick Ahmed has scored just one run in his last 10 games.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 4, Nationals 3