Philadelphia @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 1, 2018 ) Washington 3, Philadelphia 4

The Philadelphia Phillies have been one of baseball's feel-good stories this season, although the good vibes have soured a bit with losses in seven of their last 11 contests. The Phillies (68-56) aim to get back on track Tuesday as they begin a six-game road trip with the opener of a three-game series against the Washington Nationals (62-63).

Philadelphia's Carlos Santana pushed his hitting streak to five games with a two-run homer in Sunday's 8-2 setback versus the New York Mets at Williamsport, Pa. The 32-year-old Dominican is 10-for-36 with four homers, nine RBIs and as many runs scored against Washington, with the Phillies winning six of the 10 encounters this season. While upstart Philadelphia resides one game behind first-place Atlanta in the National League East, the Nationals have dropped six of eight -- including getting outscored 19-6 in back-to-back losses to lowly Miami -- to fall below .500. Adam Eaton had an RBI single in Sunday's 12-1 rout by the Marlins to improve to 6-for-10 with one homer, three RBIs and three runs scored in his last three games.


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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (8-9, 4.13 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Tanner Roark (8-12, 4.13)

Velasquez turned in scoreless outings in four of five trips to the mound before struggling in back-to-back starts, including a three-run, four-walk performance in 2 1/3 innings of a no-decision versus Boston on Wednesday. The 26-year-old overcame another four-walk effort to allow one run on one hit in five frames of a 3-1 triumph at Washington on May 5. Wilmer Difo belted a solo homer in that contest and is 2-for-4 in a small sample size versus Velasquez, who owns a 2-2 mark with a 5.28 ERA in six career outings against the Nationals.

Roark has changed the narrative on what has been a disastrous season by going 5-0 with a 1.77 ERA since the All-Star break. The 31-year-old has permitted seven earned runs and 28 hits during that stretch (35 2/3 innings), with three and five, respectively, coming in a 5-4 victory at St. Louis on Thursday. Roark hasn't been as fortunate against the Phillies this season, posting an 0-3 mark with a 5.40 ERA.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington 2B Daniel Murphy has 17 hits -- including two homers -- and six RBIs during his last 12 games.

2. Philadelphia LF Rhys Hoskins has nine hits -- including three homers -- and eight runs scored in his last nine contests.

3. Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg (cervical nerve impingement) is expected to come off the disabled list and start Wednesday's game.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Phillies 2