Philadelphia @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 13, 2013 ) Philadelphia 1, Washington 6

The Washington Nationals look to continue their late charge toward a possible playoff berth on Saturday when they host the Philadelphia Phillies in the second contest of a three-game set. With a 6-1 triumph in the series opener Friday, Washington has won seven in a row - its longest streak of the season - and sits 4 1/2 games behind Cincinnati in the race for the second wild card spot in the National League. That deficit was 10 1/2 games on Aug. 19.

The Nationals took the opener despite having to scratch star right-hander Stephen Strasburg with a strained right forearm. He is expected to be fine and make his next start, but Washington's ability to survive the issue enabled the club to improve to 24-9 since Aug. 9. Philadelphia is 1-6 at Nationals Park this season.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN Philly (Philadelphia), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cole Hamels (7-13, 3.45 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (10-6, 3.31)

Hamels suffered a loss at Washington on May 26 by giving up three earned runs in 6 1/3 innings, but has since dominated the Nationals. In his last two starts versus Washington, the veteran has yielded just two runs and eight hits in 15 innings. Hamels struck out eight and walked none in a no-decision against the Nationals on Sept. 2.

While Hamels has been on an impressive roll, Gonzalez has been up and down over the latter portions of the season. He followed up an uneven effort at Philadelphia on Sept. 3 with a one-hit shutout at the New York Mets six days later. Gonzalez has a 1.83 ERA in three starts versus the Phillies this year and is 5-1 with a 2.22 mark in seven career outings against the NL East rivals.

WALK-OFFS

1. Hamels is 14-6 with a 2.52 ERA in his career against Washington.

2. Washington CF Denard Span owns a career-best 24-game hitting streak, second-longest in the majors this year behind a 27-game run by Colorado's Michael Cuddyer.

3. Phillies LF Domonic Brown (heel) had a pinch-hit appearance Friday night in his first action since Sept. 1.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Phillies 3