Washington @ Detroit preview
Comerica Park
Last Meeting ( May 9, 2013 ) Detroit 4, Washington 5
The Washington Nationals attempt to extend their winning streak Tuesday as they begin a two-game interleague series against the host Detroit Tigers. Washington took the final three contests of its four-game set against the National League East rival New York Mets, allowing one run in each of the wins after an 11-0 loss in the opener. The Nationals, chosen by many to win their second straight division title, entered Monday 8 1/2 games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves.
Detroit hopes its offense continues to fire on all cylinders after outscoring the visiting Philadelphia Phillies 24-5 during its three-game sweep over the weekend. The Tigers, who are 2 1/2 games ahead of the Cleveland Indians atop the American League Central, have won seven of their last eight contests after dropping their first two of the second half. The club addressed one of its few needs Monday, acquiring reliever Jose Veras from the Houston Astros for outfield prospect Danry Vasquez.
TV: 7:08 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), FSN (Detroit)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (5-8, 2.85 ERA) vs. Tigers RH Anibal Sanchez (8-7, 2.68)
Strasburg is coming off a hard-luck loss to Pittsburgh on Wednesday, when he limited the Pirates to one run and two hits while striking out a season-high 12 over eight innings. The 25-year-old is winless in his last two outings despite yielding a total of three runs in 15 frames. Strasburg, who will be facing Detroit for the first time in his brief career, is just 1-4 with a 4.66 ERA in nine road starts this season.
Sanchez snapped a two-start losing streak Wednesday at Chicago, where he scattered six hits over six scoreless innings against the White Sox. The 29-year-old Venezuelan has yielded two or fewer runs in six of his last eight outings. Sanchez suffered his first loss in nine career decisions against the Nationals on May 8, when he allowed three runs - two earned - over six innings at Washington.
WALK-OFFS
1. Strasburg has allowed more than two earned runs only five times in 20 starts this year.
2. Veras went 0-4 with a 2.93 ERA for the Astros but converted 19-of-22 save opportunities.
3. Detroit 3B Miguel Cabrera went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs in two games over the weekend after missing four with a sore left hip flexor.
PREDICTION: Tigers 4, Nationals 2