Washington @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 29, 2018 ) Washington 12, Colorado 2

The euphoria created by an eight-game winning streak that catapulted the Colorado Rockies into first place in the National League West quickly dissipated with Saturday's brutal loss. The Rockies find themselves faced with the possibility of settling for a wild-card spot instead of winning the first division title in franchise history when they host the Washington Nationals on Sunday.

Colorado (90-71) was trounced 12-2 in the middle contest of the season-ending three-game series, ending its winning streak and dropping it into a tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the top spot in the NL West. Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez homered in the loss for the Rockies, who still may have to play at Los Angeles for the crown on Monday even if they emerge victorious against the Nationals. Washington could have made Colorado's task extremely difficult by starting reigning two-time Cy Young Award winner - and major-league strikeout leader who also is a candidate for this year's trophy - Max Scherzer on Sunday but have opted to go with rookie Erick Fedde instead. Rookie of the Year hopeful Juan Soto was a major factor at the plate on Saturday, going 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs, while Trea Turner collected three hits - including a two-run home run - and plated three runs as the Nationals (82-79) clinched a winning record.

TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Erick Fedde (2-3, 5.24 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (6-9, 4.76)

Fedde lasted only 3 1/3 innings in his last start last Sunday, yielding three runs on five hits and four walks in a no-decision against the New York Mets. The 25-year-old Las Vegas native is 2-0 in his last six outings but has worked five or more frames only three times in that span. Fedde made his major-league debut versus Colorado on July 30, 2017, when he took the loss after surrendering seven runs and 10 hits in four innings at home.

The Rockies are taking a huge risk by putting their division-title hopes in the arm of Anderson, who has gone 0-6 in 13 starts since defeating San Francisco on July 4. The 28-year-old, who also hails from Las Vegas, settled for a no-decision at Los Angeles on Sept. 19 after giving up two runs and three hits over six innings. Anderson has posted a 4.35 ERA in two career no-decisions against the Nationals, including one on April 15 in which he permitted three runs - one earned - on two hits and six walks over 4 2/3 frames in Washington.

WALK-OFFS

1. Soto, who turns 20 next month, tied teammate Bryce Harper for the second-most homers by a teenager in major-league history on Saturday with his 22nd - two shy of Tony Conigliaro (24 in 1964).

2. Arenado and Colorado SS Trevor Story trail co-NL home-run leaders Matt Carpenter of St. Louis and Christian Yelich of Milwaukee (36) by one while RHP Wade Davis will capture the NL saves title as he enters Sunday with a career-high 43.

3. Turner was overtaken by Kansas City's Whit Merrifield for the major-league lead in stolen bases on Saturday but still tops the NL with 43, Harper is two homers behind Carpenter.

PREDICTION: Rockies 7, Nationals 5