Washington @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2018 ) Washington 7, Philadelphia 6

The free-falling Philadelphia Phillies have seen their postseason aspirations fade in rapid time, as they have lost eight consecutive series to barely remain within earshot for either the National League East title or a wild-card berth. The Phillies (74-70), who will look to snap a four-game skid in the finale of their series on Wednesday at home, squandered a three-run lead in the ninth inning of the nightcap in Tuesday's doubleheader sweep by the Nationals (73-72).

Juan Soto flustered Philadelphia in the finale, capping a two-homer performance with a solo shot in the 10th inning of a 7-6 victory in the nightcap. The 19-year-old rookie is 9-for-22 with six RBIs during his five-game hitting streak heading into a tilt versus Cy Young candidate Aaron Nola, against whom he is 1-for-9 with three strikeouts this season. Washington has won four in a row to inch closer to Philadelphia, which has dropped eight of 10 overall to reside 6 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta in the NL East. Rhys Hoskins had a two-run double to highlight a five-run fifth inning to improve to 8-for-19 with three homers, five RBIs and five runs scored in his last five outings, although he is just 1-for-7 with five strikeouts versus Wednesday starter Stephen Strasburg.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (7-7, 4.04 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola (16-4, 2.29)

Strasburg, who traditionally has dominated Philadelphia in his career, rebounded from a disastrous outing against the Phillies on Aug. 22 by picking up the win five days later after allowing two runs in six innings. The 30-year-old has kept the ball in the park in each of his last three trips to the mound after being taken deep twice in the first of the two recent encounters with Philadelphia. Strasburg has recorded back-to-back no-decisions in his last two starts despite yielding two earned runs in both outings.

Nola rebounded from his first loss since July 14 with an eight-strikeout performance over seven innings in a 4-3 win at the New York Mets on Friday. The 25-year-old has flustered Washington this season, highlighting his 3-0 mark with a 1.26 ERA in four starts after scattering five hits and fanning nine in eight frames of a 2-0 victory on Aug. 23. Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon are both 9-for-30 against Nola, although the hurler has kept Adam Eaton (1-for-14, nine strikeouts) at bay.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia CF Odubel Herrera is 4-for-31 with 10 strikeouts in his last 10 games.

2. Washington C Matt Wieters is 3-for-7 with two RBIs and two runs scored in his last two contests after going 1-for-15 with eight strikeouts in his previous six outings.

3. Phillies 2B Cesar Hernandez is 8-for-17 with four RBIs during his four-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Nationals 2, Phillies 1