They will be going for a 7th win in eight matchups between the clubs this season, visiting Washington tries for its first sweep of Houston in 12 years Thursday night.
The Nationals (68-43) are 6-1 in the season series with the Astros (36-76), but the last five of those victories have all come by one-run margins.
After posting back-to-back extra-inning wins to open this four-game set, Washington escaped with another narrow victory Wednesday, prevailing 4-3. Having overcome a shaky first inning, Gio Gonzalez withstood Houston's rally attempt in the ninth to throw his second career complete game. Gonzalez's first ever homer - a two-run shot - also proved key given the Nationals' 1-for-12 effort with runners in scoring position.
Seeking to match a season high with a sixth consecutive victory overall, the Nationals franchise hasn't swept the Astros in a series of at least three games since May 19-21, 2000, when the club was the Montreal Expos. It's never completed a four-game sweep of Houston.
Looking to help the Nationals do just that is Jordan Zimmermann (8-6, 2.45 ERA), who's 5-0 with a 1.65 ERA over his last eight starts. The right-hander, though, was knocked around and didn't receive a decision during Saturday's 10-7 win over Miami, yielding a season-high five runs - four earned - and seven hits over five innings.
Zimmermann will be opposed by Lucas Harrell (9-7, 3.98), who's led Houston to its only two victories in the last 22 games. Looking to win a career-best third consecutive start, Harrell has gone 3-2 with a 2.26 ERA over his last eight outings - yielding two runs or fewer in all but one of them.
He issued a career high-tying five walks Saturday but managed to limit the damage, allowing two runs and four hits over six innings of a 3-2 win at Atlanta.
In his only previous start against Washington, Harrell gave up one run and four hits over 6 2-3 innings opposite Zimmermann in April. The right-hander is 6-1 with a 2.02 ERA in nine home starts.
He'll need to be wary of Michael Morse, who singled Wednesday to extend his career-best hitting streak to 17 games. The Nationals' slugging first baseman is batting .315 with three homers over that stretch.
Bryce Harper is 0 for 11 in this series and isn't expected to be in Thursday's lineup.
Nationals are 5-0 in their last 5 vs. National League Central.
Nationals are 4-0 in their last 4 games following a win.
Nationals are 5-0 in their last 5 overall.
Nationals are 7-0 in their last 7 games as a road favorite.
Nationals are 13-3 in their last 16 games as a favorite.
Nationals are 4-0 in Zimmermanns last 4 road starts.
Nationals are 4-0 in Zimmermanns last 4 starts as a road favorite.
Nationals are 4-0 in Zimmermanns last 4 starts as a favorite.
Nationals are 5-0 in Zimmermanns last 5 starts.
Astros are 10-42 in their last 52 overall.
Astros are 1-7 in their last 8 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Astros are 1-10 in their last 11 home games.
Astros are 5-2 in Harrells last 7 home starts vs. a team with a winning record.
Astros are 2-6 in Harrells last 8 starts as an underdog.
Zimmerman is the key here tonight. Nationals are 7-1 in the last 8 meetings and after tonight i believe it will be 8-1. I would not be surprised to see Washington win by 5 or 6 runs tonight. Tonight take the Nationals on the RL. I have a small play on the 1H of the game as well. Good Luck
WAS NATIONALS -1½EV
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