Washington @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 28, 2018 ) Washington 3, Philadelphia 4

The Philadelphia Phillies struck first in the opener of their four-game series and look to knock off the visiting Washington Nationals again on Friday. Slugger Rhys Hoskins went 3-for-4 with a homer, double and two RBIs as Philadelphia recorded a 4-3 win on Thursday.

Hoskins is swinging a hot bat with three homers and seven RBIs in his last five games, a stretch during which he has registered three multi-hit performances. Maikel Franco and Jorge Alfaro each added two hits in Thursday's triumph as Philadelphia won for the 11th time in 17 contests. The slumping Nationals have been outscored 16-3 during their three-game slide and have dropped five of their last six games. Washington's Anthony Rendon (4-for-8) and Bryce Harper (3-for-7) each have belted two homers off Nick Pivetta, who is slated to start for the Phillies on Friday.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Erick Fedde (0-3, 5.32 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (4-6, 4.06)

Fedde will be making his fifth start of the season and the eighth of his career as he looks to record his first major-league win. The 25-year-old lost to the Phillies on Saturday, when he gave up three runs and eight hits over six innings. Fedde has posted a 6.99 ERA and 1.77 WHIP while allowing opponents to record a .347 batting average over 37 1/3 career frames.

Pivetta has dropped four consecutive decisions and is winless over his last six starts. The 25-year-old settled for a no-decision against the Nationals on Sunday, when he gave up two runs and eight hits in five innings. Pivetta is 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA in two starts against Washington this season and 0-2 with a 9.19 ERA in four career matchups.

WALK-OFFS

1. Harper went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts in the series opener and is batting .188 with one homer, six RBIs and 31 strikeouts this month.

2. Philadelphia RHP Pat Neshek (shoulder) will make a rehab appearance at Double-A Reading on Friday as he works toward making his season debut.

3. Washington RHP Stephen Strasburg (shoulder) threw on flat ground Thursday and may throw a bullpen session over the weekend.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Phillies 3