Washington @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Apr 27, 2010 ) Washington 3, Chi. Cubs 1
The recently downtrodden Washington Nationals are playing with a sense of pride and purpose and it is showing.
With Tuesday’s 3-1 win over the Chicago Cubs, Washington is off to its best start since the 2005 campaign.
A large part of the turnaround has been the Nationals' success on the road, where they are currently 4-4. Last year, the team needed until May 9 to capture their fifth road contest away from home.
The Nationals are in a position to win their second road series of the season and will look to do just that as they face the Cubs in the rubber match of the three-game set Wednesday at Wrigley Field.
Washington will pin its hopes on a rookie pitcher making his second career start.
Luis Atilano was called up on Friday to take Jason Marquis’ spot in the rotation and promptly defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers by allowing just one run on five hits over six innings.
The 24-year-old spent seven seasons in the minor leagues before getting a chance in the majors. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2006.
The Nationals are hoping that Atilano can continue the success that starter Livan Hernandez enjoyed in Tuesday’s win. Hernandez tossed seven strong innings to improve to 3-1 and lower his ERA to 0.87.
Washington has received a boost from veteran catcher Ivan Rodriguez, who is in his first campaign with the team. Rodriguez returned after missing a game with hamstring tightness and singled to up his average to .400.
It appears like the Nationals will again be without All-Star third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, who has sat out sixth straight game with a hamstring injury. He has been limited to pinch-hitting duty and will likely not return to the lineup until the weekend.
Getting the start for Chicago is Ryan Dempster, who picked up the win with 7 2/3 frames against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday to improve to 2-0 with a 2.60 ERA
Dempster has made 12 career starts against the Nationals and is 6-0 with a 3.51 ERA.
The Cubs had been on a hot streak prior to Tuesday’s setback, rattling off four straight victories. They currently sit 3 ½ games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for first place in the National League Central.
Chicago catcher Geovany Soto has found a groove of late after stumbling out of the gates. He has six hits and three RBIs over the past four outings.