Washington @ St. Louis preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 29, 2012 ) Washington 6, St. Louis 4

The Washington Nationals can clinch their first division title with a win over the St. Louis Cardinals, who need two more victories to secure their spot in the postseason. Washington’s magic number stands at one over Atlanta to win the National League East, while St. Louis holds a two-game lead over Los Angeles for the second wild card with four to play. The Nationals defeated the Cardinals 6-4 in 10 innings on Saturday when Kurt Suzuki doubled in two runs in the top of the 10th off Fernando Salas. Suzuki has been a key part of the Nationals’ attack in the second half, batting .385 with runners in scoring position since arriving in a trade from Oakland on Aug. 3.

Much like Suzuki, Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma is providing his team with an unexpected boost. Kozma, who went 3-for-4 on Saturday and made an outstanding defensive play, is batting .306 with nine extra-base hits in 62 at-bats. Kozma is starting in place of Rafael Furcal, who is out for the season with a right elbow strain. Third baseman David Freese hasn’t started in five straight games because of a right ankle sprain, but he’s hoping to return for Sunday’s series finale. Left fielder Matt Holliday, who returned to the lineup Saturday after leaving Friday’s game with a bruised elbow, is batting .196 in his past 29 games and is 12-for-63 (.190) this season with runners in scoring position and two outs.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), FS Midwest (St. Louis)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Ross Detwiler (10-7, 3.28 ERA) vs. Cardinals RH Lance Lynn (17-7, 3.69)

Born and raised in St. Louis, Detwiler is making his first career appearance against the Cardinals. Detwiler, who is 4-2 with a 3.52 ERA over his last eight starts, allowed five runs in as many innings last Tuesday against the Phillies. He has a 102-to-47 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 162 innings.

Lynn was demoted to the bullpen at the end of August, but he’s been impressive in his three starts since rejoining the rotation on Sept. 13, allowing two runs on 13 hits with 21 strikeouts over 19.1 innings. After posting a 6.66 ERA in August, Lynn is 4-2 with a 1.88 ERA in 24 innings pitched this month.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Nationals have either led the NL East or shared the top spot for 162 of the season’s 172 days.

2. CF Jon Jay is close to becoming just the third St. Louis outfielder to play errorless defense for an entire season.

3. 1B Adam LaRoche is one RBI short of becoming the third player to have a 100-RBI season in a Nationals uniform.