Washington @ Milwaukee preview
Miller Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 4, 2013 ) Milwaukee 5, Washington 8
The Washington Nationals look to keep alive their fading playoff hopes as they begin a three-game series against the host Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. Washington's chances of claiming its second straight National League East title are slim at best, as it trails the first-place Atlanta Braves by 11 1/2 games. The wild card is the best bet to reach the postseason for the Nationals, who are 7 1/2 games behind the Cincinnati Reds for the second extra berth.
Washington enters the series licking its wounds after being outscored 16-2 while being swept of a two-game road set by the American League Central-leading Detroit Tigers. Milwaukee, which occupies the basement in the NL Central, returns home following a 4-3 road trip. The Brewers suffered a 6-1 loss in Chicago on Wednesday after winning the first three contests of the four-game series versus the Cubs.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FSN Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (12-6, 3.19 ERA) vs. Brewers LH Tom Gorzelanny (2-4, 2.83)
Zimmermann has struggled of late, losing each of his last three starts while allowing 14 runs over 15 innings. The 27-year-old All-Star went 4-0 over his previous seven outings, yielding three runs or fewer five times in that span and zero earned runs on three occasions. Zimmermann improved to 3-0 lifetime against Milwaukee on July 1 despite giving up four runs and nine hits in six frames.
Gorzelanny made his fifth start of the season on Saturday, notching the win at Colorado after yielding four runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. It was the first win as a starter for the 31-year-old since May 7, 2011, when he defeated the Marlins while with Washington. Gorzelanny saw his career record against the Nationals even out at 3-3 after surrendering one run in 1 2/3 frames of relief on July 4 at Washington.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington LF Bryce Harper left Wednesday's loss with a mild spasm in his hip area but is not expected to miss any games.
2. The series against Washington marks Milwaukee's only three home contests in a 19-game span.
3. Nationals RHP Ross Ohlendorf likely will be unavailable after exiting Wednesday's contest with stiffness in his right arm.
PREDICTION: Nationals 8, Brewers 2