Arizona @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 26, 2013 ) Arizona 2, Washington 3

Patrick Corbin’s name did not appear on any preseason lists of National League Cy Young candidates, but the 23-year-old Arizona left-hander has spent the season’s first three months making people believers. Corbin starts Thursday’s series finale at Washington seeking to become 10-0, but he has received four consecutive no-decisions despite allowing eight earned runs in 28 1/3 innings in that stretch. The Diamondbacks have lost three in a row following a four-game winning streak.

Washington’s Stephen Strasburg probably did enter into some of the preseason Cy Young conversation, but the right-hander has just four wins despite ranking eighth in the National League in ERA. His teammates have scored two runs or less in nine of Strasburg’s 14 starts. The Nationals aim for a series sweep and have won five of their past seven contests.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Arizona (Arizona), Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (9-0, 2.15 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (4-6, 2.40).

A victory makes Corbin the first Arizona pitcher to start 10-0 -- Brandon Webb won his first nine decisions in 2008. Corbin beat the Nationals in his only career start, allowing two runs in seven innings on Aug. 12, 2012. When runners have reached base Corbin has buckled down, holding opponents to a .200 batting average with 14 strikeouts in 60 at-bats.

Strasburg tied a season high with nine strikeouts in his last start, beating Colorado with a one-run, five-hit effort over seven innings. He has allowed one earned run in each of his past six starts (37 innings). Strasburg has been very effective at home, posting a 1.13 ERA in six starts while going 3-3.

WALK-OFFS

1. Both of Thursday’s starters took the fast track to the majors; Strasburg, the top pick in the 2009 draft, made his debut in 2010, while Corbin (the final pick of the second round in 2009) debuted last April.

2. Arizona RF Gerardo Parra is 0-for-8 in the series after getting a hit in 16 of the previous 17 games.

3. Washington P Rafael Soriano has converted nine consecutive save opportunities, allowing two earned runs in his past 13 innings.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 3, Nationals 2