Chicago @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 7, 2018 ) Chi. Cubs 0, Washington 0

David Bote’s role has been reduced since Kris Bryant returned from the disabled list, but the Chicago Cubs might have to find a way to work him into the lineup for the remainder of their four-game set against the host Washington Nationals. Bote and the Cubs have had a knack coming up big late against the Nationals, and they’ll try to record at least one more victory in the season series after Friday night's rainout when they visit Washington for a doubleheader Saturday.

Bote, who hit a walk-off grand slam to beat the Nationals on Aug. 12, was clutch again when he delivered a go-ahead RBI double in the 10th inning of Thursday’s 6-4 victory. The Cubs have won 12 of their last 16 and lead the National League Central by four games over Milwaukee. The Nationals have dropped six of their last eight to fall three games below .500 for the first time since April 30. Washington is 3-8 in extra-inning affairs.

TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, WGN (Chicago), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jaime Garcia (3-6, 5.93 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.28)

Garcia is set to make his debut for the Cubs and see his first big action for them since signing as a free agent at the end of August following his release from Toronto on Aug. 29. The 32-year-old made 13 starts with the Blue Jays, going 2-6 with a 6.16 ERA, before making his final 12 appearances with Toronto out of the bullpen. Bryce Harper (3-for-16) and Howie Kendrick (3-for-4) have each homered against Garcia, who is 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA in nine starts versus Washington.

Scherzer is only 1-1 over his last six starts despite posting a 2.08 ERA and striking out 50 over 39 frames, including Monday's no-decision versus St. Louis in which he allowed three runs and fanned 11 across seven innings. The three-time Cy Young Award winner, who leads the majors in strikeouts (260) and innings pitched (193 2/3), paces the NL in wins and WHIP (0.88). Bryant is 1-for-10 with seven strikeouts against Scherzer, who fanned 11 in seven scoreless frames on Aug. 12 versus the Cubs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals SS Trea Turner (12-for-35) and OF Adam Eaton (12-for-38) extended their hitting streaks to eight games on Thursday.

2. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo has recorded multiple hits in four of his last five games, going 9-for-16 over that stretch.

3. Chicago 2B-OF Ben Zobrist is 16-for-41 with six multi-hit performances in his last 11 contests.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Cubs 2