Chicago @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 9, 2018 ) Chi. Cubs 0, Washington 0
The Chicago Cubs’ quick trip back to the nation’s capital takes place as their lead in the National League Central has been trimmed to the narrowest of margins. The Cubs will try to preserve their one-game edge over Milwaukee when they face the host Washington Nationals in a makeup game on Thursday.
The Cubs have lost four of their last five - including two of three during a rain-soaked trek to Washington last weekend - to allow the Brewers to carve into their division lead. Chicago's offense has struggled of late, producing a total of 14 runs in those five contests. The Nationals, meanwhile, are looking to match their season high with a sixth consecutive win. Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman and Juan Soto homered in Wednesday’s 5-1 win over Philadelphia, keeping the Nationals’ slim playoff hopes alive as they sit eight games behind first-place Atlanta in the NL East and trail St. Louis by seven for the second wild card.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Chicago, MASN2 (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Mike Montgomery (4-5, 3.85 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Joe Ross (2017: 5-3, 5.01)
Montgomery has recorded only one win since June 29 and allowed six runs over 8 1/3 innings in two starts since returning from the disabled list. The 29-year-old gave up two runs over four frames of a loss at Milwaukee in his last outing on Sept. 4. Montgomery has made two relief appearances against the Nationals, allowing one run in 1 2/3 innings.
Ross will be making his first major-league start since July 9, 2017 after recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 25-year-old went 2-1 with a 2.39 ERA in six turns in the minors as he worked his way back. Ross is 0-2 with a 3.44 ERA in three career starts against the Cubs, including his major-league debut in 2015.
WALK-OFFS
1. Soto has hit 19 home runs, tying Mel Ott for third-most by a teenager in major-league history behind teammate Harper (22) and Tony Conigliaro (24).
2. Chicago INF Tommy La Stella has recorded a major league-leading 23 pinch hits, 10 more than the next closest player (Chase Utley, 13).
3. Cubs RHP Brandon Morrow threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and hopes to return to game action late next week.
PREDICTION: Cubs 5, Nationals 4