Washington @ Chicago preview
Wrigley Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 20, 2013 ) Washington 4, Chi. Cubs 2
The Washington Nationals have been only as good as their pitching staff in 2013 and the first two games of their road series against the Chicago Cubs serve as a perfect example. Bombed in the series opener and brilliant in Tuesday's 3-1 victory, the Nationals look to right-hander Ross Ohlendorf to keep the momentum going Wednesday. Washington is 15 games back of Atlanta in the National League East and 9 1/2 behind Cincinnati for the second wild card.
The Nationals are 55-15 when they score three or more runs, but have relied too heavily on the pitching staff because they've failed to reach that mark 55 times, going 6-49 in those contests. The Cubs can relate - they've scored two or fewer runs in eight of their last 11 home games and were right back to their offensive futility a night after opening the series with an 11-1 rout. Chicago was 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position Tuesday and is hitting a major league-worst .220 in those situations.
TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), WGN (Chicago)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Ross Ohlendorf (2-0, 1.85 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Jake Arrieta (2-2, 4.91)
Ohlendorf, who comes off the disabled list (right shoulder inflammation) to make his first appearance since July 31, allowed two runs in 13 innings over two starts. His last came against the Mets on July 26 when he struck out eight and allowed only one run in seven innings, but didn't figure in the decision. The 31-year-old has fared well against the Cubs, going 2-0 with a 2.75 ERA in six starts, but has a 5.06 ERA in three outings at Wrigley Field.
A change of scenery might have been just what Arrieta needed as the former fifth-round pick of the Orioles is 1-0 with a 0.69 ERA in two starts for the Cubs. He was dominant his last time out, allowing two hits and racking up seven strikeouts in seven scoreless frames to beat St. Louis. Arrieta faced the Nationals four times with Baltimore, going 0-1 with a 5.57 ERA.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Cubs will face a right-handed starting pitcher for the 14th consecutive game and the Nationals are slated to throw RHP Stephen Strasburg in Thursday's series finale.
2. Nationals LF Bryce Harper is 4-for-5 with a double against Arrieta and is 10-for-23 in seven career games against the Cubs.
3. Cubs SS Starlin Castro, who Tuesday was dropped to the No. 8 spot in the lineup and has one hit in his last 27 at-bats, is 3-for-15 against Ohlendorf.
PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Nationals 3