Arizona @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 13, 2019 ) Arizona 5, Washington 0

The Arizona Diamondbacks haven't been shy about flexing their offensive muscle, erupting for 49 runs while winning seven of their last eight contests. The Diamondbacks could be hard-pressed to keep up their free-wheeling scoring ways on Friday when they continue their four-game series against three-time Cy Young Award recipient Max Scherzer and the host Washington Nationals.

Scherzer sports a 6-0 mark with a 2.89 ERA in eight career starts against Arizona and has been downright stingy in his last four outings overall, posting an 0.67 ERA and striking out 39 batters while limiting the opposition to a .198 batting average. Impressive statistics to be certain, but Scherzer will need more offense than the three hits Washington mustered en route to falling for the sixth time in 18 games with a 5-0 setback in the series opener. Jarrod Dyson belted a two-run shot and scored twice in the series opener, improving to 9-for-29 with two homers, four RBIs and eight runs scored in his last seven contests. Arizona, which has recorded back-to-back shutouts, will turn to former Nationals farmhand Robbie Ray to provide the opposition for Scherzer.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (5-3, 3.54 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (4-5, 2.83)

While Scherzer leads the National League in strikeouts (126), Ray has upped his season total to 101 after fanning 19 batters in his last two starts. The 27-year-old struck out 10 and allowed just two runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings in an 8-2 victory at Toronto on Sunday. Struggling former Diamondbacks slugger Gerardo Parra is 4-for-11 with a homer versus Ray, who is 0-4 with a gaudy 6.26 ERA in five career starts against Washington.

Scherzer won his second straight start in dominating fashion on Saturday, scattering six hits and striking out nine in seven scoreless innings in a 4-1 win at San Diego. The 34-year-old is on pace for his eighth straight season of 200 or more strikeouts, which would tie him for seventh-most all-time. Adam Jones (13-for-35, four homers) and David Peralta (5-for-14, two homers) have enjoyed success versus Scherzer, although the hurler has flustered Nick Ahmed (0-for-7) and Alex Avila (0-for-6, five strikeouts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Avila has gone deep in three consecutive contests after being held without a homer since April 5.

2. Washington RF Adam Eaton is 9-for-22 during his six-game hitting streak.

3. Diamondbacks 3B Eduardo Escobar has collected 14 hits, 10 RBIs and nine runs scored in his last 10 games.

PREDICTION: Nationals 2, Diamondbacks 1