Washington @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 24, 2018 ) Philadelphia 6, Washington 8

The Washington Nationals enjoyed a late offensive uprising to rally for a victory in the finale of last weekend's series against the Philadelphia Phillies. After getting shut out in both contests of an abbreviated two-game interleague set versus Tampa Bay, the Nationals (41-37) look to ignite their offense on Thursday in the opener of a four-game series against the host Phillies (42-36).

Bryce Harper owns seven doubles and eight walks in his past eight games for Washington, with three of those hits coming in Sunday's wild 8-6 victory over Philadelphia. The 2015 National League Most Valuable Player looks to continue to fluster the Phillies, as he is a robust 8-for-19 in his career against Thursday starter Aaron Nola. While the Nationals have won just three of the last 12 contests, the Phillies snapped a three-game skid by salvaging the finale of a three-game interleague series versus the New York Yankees with a 3-0 triumph on Wednesday. Rhys Hoskins belted a three-run homer in that contest and also went deep while scoring four runs in the previous set against Washington.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Tanner Roark (3-8, 4.27 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola (9-2, 2.58)

Roark was roasted by Philadelphia on Friday as he allowed six runs and walked four batters over 4 1/3 innings of a 12-2 setback. The 31-year-old fell to 0-2 against the Phillies this season, as he permitted three runs and struck out nine over 6 1/3 frames of a 3-1 loss on May 5. Odubel Herrera is 15-for-34 with six extra-base hits versus Roark, although Nick Williams (1-for-11, five strikeouts) and Andrew Knapp (0-for-8, four strikeouts) have struggled mightily against him.

Nola will look to defeat Washington for the second straight start and continue his success at Citizens Bank Park, where he is 6-0 with a 1.86 ERA in seven starts this season The 25-year-old overcame a two-run first inning to blank the Nationals over his next five frames en route to a 5-3 triumph on Saturday. Daniel Murphy (9-for-23) has gotten his licks in on Nola, although the hurler has subdued Trea Turner (1-for-10, five strikeouts) and Adam Eaton (0-for-8, six strikeouts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Herrera went 6-for-14 with four RBIs and five runs scored in last weekend's series versus Washington.

2. Former Nationals and Phillies OF Jayson Werth, 39, announced that he's finished playing professional baseball.

3. Washington 3B Anthony Rendon is 6-for-19 with two homers against Philadelphia this season.

PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Nationals 2