Washington @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 27, 2014 ) Washington 2, Chi. Cubs 7
The Chicago Cubs haven't swept a four-game series in nearly three years, but they can change that if they take both ends of a doubleheader from the visiting Washington Nationals on Saturday. The Cubs have claimed the first two games of the series, which wraps up with a split twinbill. It's the first scheduled doubleheader at Wrigley Field -- one that is not the result of a rescheduled game -- since July 4, 1983.
Chicago's last four-game sweep came at Pittsburgh from Aug. 1-4, 2011, and you have to go back to May 29-June 1, 2008, against Colorado to find the last time the Cubs swept a four-game set at home. The Nationals came to town after winning four of five, but have seen their offensive woes continue in 5-3 and 7-2 losses to begin the series. Washington, which is tied with Atlanta atop the National League East, has scored a total of 25 runs over its last nine games while going 4-5.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (4-4, 4.38 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Dallas Beeler (NR)
Gonzalez snapped a six-start winless streak his time out, holding Milwaukee to three hits over six scoreless innings for his first victory since April 18. It was only the sixth quality start in 11 outings this season for the 28-year-old. Gonzalez is 1-1 with a 3.97 ERA in four starts against the Cubs but has been roughed up for 10 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings over two career outings at Wrigley Field.
Beeler is set to make his major-league debut after getting the call from Triple-A Iowa, where he was 5-3 with a 4.03 ERA in 10 starts this season. The 25-year-old was a 41st-round pick in 2010 out of Oral Roberts. Beeler has gone at least six innings in each of his last seven starts at Iowa, so the Cubs hope he can help save the bullpen in the opener of the doubleheader.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo's 17 homers are tied for the most by a Cubs player before July 1 since Derrek Lee had 23 heading into July 2005.
2. The Nationals are 34-3 when scoring four or more runs and 7-35 when being limited to three or fewer.
3. The Cubs are 0-38 when trailing after eight innings.
PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Cubs 3