Philadelphia @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( May 25, 2013 ) Philadelphia 5, Washington 3

Stephen Strasburg appears to be rounding into shape after two consecutive strong outings, allowing two runs in 15 innings. Strasburg will try to build on that as his Washington Nationals host the Philadelphia Phillies in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday. The Phillies have a chance to climb back to .500 for the first time since April 14 after winning eight of their last 12. The Nationals continue their see-saw season, falling 5 ½ games behind Atlanta in the National League East.

Washington is only 5-9 since a five-game winning streak and can drop into a tie for second place with the Phillies if they lose. Denard Span has collected 10 hits in his last six games for the Nationals. Closer Jonathan Papelbon has not allowed a run in his last 17 outings and Domonic Brown is 8-for-20 with seven RBIs over the last five games for the Phillies.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, WPHL (Philadelphia), Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cole Hamels (1-7, 4.45 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (2-5, 2.66)

Hamels is not getting much help from his friends. The Phillies have scored a total of 15 runs in the left-hander’s last eight starts and he is 1-5 in that span. He gave up two runs in six innings to lose to Miami in his last outing. Hamels has allowed two runs or fewer in six of the last eight. The 29-year-old is 13-5 in 24 starts against the Nationals with a 2.57 ERA. Adam LaRoche is 8-for-25 with four homers against Hamels.

Strasburg hasn’t gotten much defensive support, allowing nine unearned runs in 10 starts. The hard-throwing right-hander has given up 51 hits in 64 1/3 innings while striking out 62, surrendering two or fewer earned runs in seven of 10 turns. Strasburg yielded one run on five hits in seven innings without getting a decision at San Francisco in his last outing. He is 0-1 in three starts vs. the Phillies with a 6.28 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia RHP Mike Adams is expected to be activated from the disabled list Sunday. Adams has been out since May 10 with a back strain.

2. The Nationals have hit at least one home run in 72 consecutive series, the second longest in the league behind Texas (80), after LaRoche’s blast Saturday.

3. The Phillies have won 12 of their last 13 games in which they have scored more than three runs.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Phillies 2