Philadelphia @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2019 ) Philadelphia 2, Washington 5

The Washington Nationals have run roughshod over the Philadelphia Phillies since splitting the first eight contests of their season series. Washington bids for a five-game sweep and 10th win in its last 11 encounters with Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon when the National League East rivals meet at Nationals Park.

Howie Kendrick and Brian Dozier each homered as the makeshift lineup provided enough pop in Wednesday's 5-2 victory for Washington, which maintained its one-game lead over Milwaukee for the top wild-card spot. Trea Turner, who belted a grand slam in the nightcap of Tuesday's doubleheader, joined Anthony Rendon in receiving a day off as manager Dave Martinez made good on his vow to give some of the team's stars a breather before postseason action. Philadelphia's bid for its first winning season since 2011 is in jeopardy after sustaining losses in five straight games. Brad Miller, who went deep for the third time in two outings on Wednesday, is 6-for-17 with three homers and six RBIs against Washington this season.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Philadelphia, MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Jason Vargas (7-8, 4.40 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (17-6, 3.37)

Vargas overcame a rocky start to allow four runs (two earned) in 6 2/3 innings of a 9-4 victory at Cleveland on Saturday to mark his first win in 10 starts (1-3, 5.12 ERA) since being acquired from the New York Mets on July 29. The outing was the 36-year-old's longest since joining the Phillies and moved him within one of 100 career victories. Asdrubal Cabrera is 7-for-18 with a homer versus Vargas, who sports a 1-3 record against Washington despite posting a 1.32 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over seven career appearances while limiting the club to a .143 batting average.

Strasburg improved to 13-2 with a 2.62 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 26 career starts against Philadelphia after tossing six scoreless innings in a 4-0 win on July 12. Maikel Franco (12-for-30, three homers), however, has gotten the better of the 31-year-old, who returns to Nationals Park aiming to improve upon his 9-2 record and 3.33 ERA at home. Strasburg was saddled with his second straight no-decision on Saturday despite scattering three hits over seven scoreless innings against Miami.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia RF Bryce Harper has three homers, seven RBIs and seven runs scored during his 10-game hitting streak.

2. Washington LF Juan Soto is mired in a 1-for-22 stretch in his last eight contests.

3. Philadelphia All-Star C J.T. Realmuto will undergo a "meniscus cleanup" on Friday and miss the remainder of the season, manager Gabe Kapler said.

PREDICTION: Nationals 6, Phillies 3