Milwaukee @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2012 ) Milwaukee 2, Washington 12

The Washington Nationals have been searching for a spark and it could come in the person of Bryce Harper, who is expected to return to the lineup Monday for the opener of a four-game series against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. Harper, the No. 1 overall pick in 2010, has been sidelined since May 26, but hit 12 home runs in 44 games before landing on the 15-day disabled list with bursitis in his left knee. "Everything feels good," Harper said. "I’m excited about where I am.”

The Nationals put up a season-high 13 runs Sunday to move one game over .500 and couldn't be catching Milwaukee at a better time. The Brewers will limp into Washington riding a five-game losing streak that dropped them a season-worst 16 games below .500. Milwaukee's has been hurt by the absence of outfielder Ryan Braun (hand), scoring only 11 runs during the five-game skid, and the team was forced to burn its bullpen in Sunday's 14-inning loss in Pittsburgh.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Wisconsin (Milwaukee), Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Brewers RH Yovani Gallardo (6-7, 4.20 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (11-3, 2.28)

Gallardo lasted only four innings in his last turn and was touched for five runs (three earned) to halt a string of three consecutive starts in which he did not allow an earned run over 21 innings. It marked the third time in 10 starts that Gallardo has failed to pitch more than four innings. He is 3-2 with a 4.89 ERA in eight career appearances (seven starts) against Washington.

Zimmermann is seeking his fourth straight victory and can join Detroit's Max Scherzer as the only 12-game winners in the majors. He bounced back from an ugly performance against Cleveland on June 15 by allowing a combined three runs (two earned) and nine hits in back-to-back victories over Colorado and Arizona. Zimmermann has been particularly dominant at home with an 8-0 record and microscopic 1.09 ERA in nine starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Harper was 4-for-11 with a homer, triple and double in four rehab games.

2. Brewers reliever John Axford, who lost the closer's job in April, has 22 consecutive scoreless appearances.

3. Nationals 1B Adam LaRoche is 8-for-24 with a pair of homers against Gallardo.

PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Brewers 2