Chicago @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2018 ) Chi. Cubs 6, Washington 4
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 for late-inning heroics against the Nationals, and they’ll try to record another victory in the season series on Friday.
Bote, who hit a walk-off grand slam to beat the Nationals on Aug. 12, was the hero 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 4 1/2 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 now 3-8 in extra-inning affairs.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Jon Lester (15-5, 3.53 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Joe Ross (2017: 5-3, 5.01)
Lester was tagged for nine runs - eight earned - over 3 2/3 innings in a loss to the Nationals on Aug. 11, but he has been outstanding in four starts since. The 34-year-old is 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA over those four outings, and he worked six scoreless frames Sunday at Philadelphia to earn the victory. Lester is 2-2 with a 4.25 ERA in seven career starts against Washington.
Ross is 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 minor-league turns 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. 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: Cubs 5, Nationals 3