Philadelphia @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2016 ) Philadelphia 0, Washington 3

The Washington Nationals are running away with the National League East despite a down year from reigning MVP Bryce Harper, though he can still come through in the clutch when necessary. The Nationals will try to pull off a win in the four-game series against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies behind Harper on Sunday.

Harper struck out three times on Saturday but came through when it mattered, belting a three-run homer in the eighth inning to give the Nationals a 3-0 win and a 2-1 lead in the series. The 23-year-old star is 2-for-12 in the series and is batting .250 on the season but Washington is still nine games up on the New York Mets in the East with 20 games left in the regular season. The Phillies are nowhere near contention and need three more losses to clinch a fourth straight losing season. The rebuilding club could find some positives in earning a split of the series with a win on Sunday, which would push Philadelphia past last season's total of 63 wins.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, CSN Philadelphia, MASN 2 (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Adam Morgan (2-9, 5.90 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (10-9, 4.40)

Morgan snapped the major's longest losing streak last time out with his first win since May 10. The 26-year-old allowed one run and five hits in six innings - the third time in the last four starts that he completed at least six frames while surrendering two or fewer earned runs. Morgan was a hard-luck loser against Washington on Aug. 31, coming up on the wrong end of a 2-1 final score after yielding two runs and three hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Gonzalez has not lost since July 31 but had to be bailed out by his offense against last-place Atlanta on Tuesday. The Florida native was rocked for six runs on eight hits in three innings but the Nationals came back to earn a 9-7 victory. Gonzalez spoiled Morgan's strong effort on Aug. 31 with an even better turn at Philadelphia, allowing one run and two hits in six innings to pick up the win.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies CF Odubel Herrera (bruised leg) was back in the lineup on Saturday after leaving Friday's game and went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts.

2. Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg (flexor mass strain) received a platelet-rich plasma injection on Friday and is expected to get a second opinion on his MRI results.

3. Washington's magic number to clinch the NL East is 12.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Phillies 3