Washington @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 29, 2018 ) Washington 6, Philadelphia 8

The Philadelphia Phillies have seen the bottom fall out in a hurry with seven straight series losses and defeats in 15 of their last 23 games overall. The Phillies (74-68) look to pick up the pieces in a hurry on Monday when they open a nine-game homestand with the first of three contests versus the Washington Nationals (71-72).

"We need to turn the page quickly. ... I believe in the talent in that room, and that doesn't change when we don't perform well on a road trip. And we didn't perform our best on this road trip, and that can't be diminished," Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler told reporters following Sunday's 6-4 setback to the New York Mets. Carlos Santana increased his hitting streak to 11 games by homering for the third time in five contests for the Phillies, who reside 4 1/2 games behind National League East-leading Atlanta. The Nationals were held at bay by Mother Nature on Sunday, with their series finale against the Chicago Cubs slated to be made up on Thursday. Washington right-hander Erick Fedde, who was scheduled to pitch that game, will get the ball for the series opener on Monday.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN (Washington), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Erick Fedde (1-3, 6.00 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (10-9, 3.61)

Fedde matched a career high with seven strikeouts in his last outing while allowing four runs on as many hits over five innings during his first start since missing two months due to a shoulder injury. The 25-year-old walked away with a no-decision in Washington's wild 11-8 setback to St. Louis. Fedde split a pair of decisions versus Philadelphia this season, as he took the loss despite permitting three runs across six innings on June 23 before picking up the win despite yielding five in as many frames of a 17-7 victory.

Arrieta recorded his first win since July 31 on Tuesday after striking out a season-high 11 batters in a 9-4 win at Miami. The 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner has surrendered four runs - and two homers - in three straight outings, including in a three-inning performance of a no-decision versus Washington on Aug. 29. Arrieta has yet to collect a decision in three encounters against the Nationals this year, despite limiting the club to a .208 batting average.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington OF Bryce Harper has eight hits and as many runs scored to go along with seven RBIs in his last eight games.

2. Phillies INF Asdrubal Cabrera is 19-for-63 with three homers, seven RBIs and 14 runs scored versus the Nationals this season.

3. Washington OF Juan Soto has homered three times against Philadelphia, matching his most against any team in the majors in 2018.

PREDICTION: Nationals 4, Phillies 2