Chicago @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( May 10, 2013 ) Chi. Cubs 3, Washington 7
The Washington Nationals are back on track after a slow start, and they hope their ace can follow suit. Right-hander Stephen Strasburg takes the mound Saturday as the Nationals try to build on their season-best five-game winning streak when they continue a three-game series with the visiting Chicago Cubs. Washington won the opener 7-3 on Friday, its fifth straight win over the Cubs.
Chicago has lost two straight and six of its last eight and remains mired in last place in the National League Central. Cubs right-hander Edwin Jackson will get the ball against his former team. He went 10-11 with a 4.03 ERA for the Nationals last season, including a 6-6 mark and a 3.35 ERA in 15 starts at Nationals Park. Strasburg held the Cubs to one run over seven innings last season in his only previous start against them.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, MASN HD (Washington), WUSA 9 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Edwin Jackson (0-5, 6.39 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (1-4, 3.45)
Jackson is still looking for his first win in a Cubs uniform and he has lost his last two starts. He gave up four runs over five innings last time out in a loss to Cincinnati and has only two quality starts in his seven outings. Jackson threw seven scoreless innings in his only start against the Nationals in 2011.
Strasburg has not regained the dominant form he showed last season, and he is winless in six starts since blanking Miami for seven innings on Opening Day. After losing four straight starts, he has not figured in the decision his last two times out. Strasburg allowed four runs over seven innings in the Nationals' 5-4 win at Pittsburgh in his last outing.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington OF Jayson Werth (hamstring) has not played since May 2 and the Nationals are expected to put him on the disabled list, according to several reports.
2. The Cubs activated RHP Kyuji Fujikawa from the disabled list Friday and option RHP Rafael Dolis to Triple-A Iowa. Fujikawa pitched a scoreless seventh inning in his first game since April 12.
3. LHP Travis Wood and RHP Scott Feldman are the only Cubs starters to record a win since April 18, a span of 21 games. Wood and Feldman each have two wins during that stretch.
PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Cubs 3