Baltimore @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 24, 2012 ) Washington 1, Baltimore 2

The return of baseball to the nation’s capital ignited the Beltway Series in 2006, and the Washington Nationals will begin this season's festivities with a two-game set against the visiting Baltimore Orioles on Monday. The Orioles will return the favor by hosting a pair of contests on Wednesday and Thursday. Baltimore leads the series 23-19, taking four of the six meetings last season as both teams advanced to the postseason.

Jason Hammel starts Monday’s opener for Baltimore; the Orioles have scored an average of 4.8 runs in his outings this season. The Nationals counter with Gio Gonzalez, who has recovered from a rough April to post a 1.67 ERA in four May starts. Baltimore has the most road wins (62) of any team in baseball since the start of 2012, but lost in the ninth inning Sunday in Toronto. Washington topped Philadelphia at home on Sunday.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN2 HD (Baltimore), MASN HD (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Jason Hammel (6-2, 5.37 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (3-2, 3.66).

Hammel looks to continue his dominance against the Nationals, bringing a 5-0 record with a 3.30 ERA in seven career starts into the matchup. Hammel has allowed 65 hits in 57 innings this season, but has benefited from the Orioles scoring six or more runs in eight of his 10 starts. He defeated the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing two earned runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Gonzalez has won just once in his past four starts, but the left-hander has shaved his ERA from 5.34 in the three no-decisions and a victory over Pittsburgh. Gonzalez allowed one earned run on four hits in 7 1/3 solid innings Wednesday at San Francisco. Gonzalez is 1-2 with a 3.26 ERA in five career starts against the Orioles.

WALK-OFFS

1. Baltimore OF Adam Jones has homered in a career-best four straight contests.

2. Orioles 3B Manny Machado went 2-for-5 Sunday and has 72 hits in 50 games, second in the majors to Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera.

3. Washington LHP Ross Detwiler did not experience any problems with his right oblique in a bullpen session Saturday. He will return to the rotation Tuesday after missing his last start.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Orioles 3