The set-up: The Washington Nationals were rained out Thursday against the Orioles and then Friday against the Phiilies, in the first of a three-game series. The Nationals won Saturday's game 6-4 and Sunday, will play a day-night doubleheader to complete its series with Philadelphia. Saturday's win leaves Washington at 23-12 (the NL's best record) but the "big news" out of the nation's capital is that the Nationals avoided arbitration next winter by agreeing to a $21.625 million extension for the 2018 season for Bryce Harper, the largest contract ever for an arbitration-eligible player. Harper celebrated last night by delivering a two-run walk-off HR to give Washington that 6-4 win over the Phillies. "He's our own," Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told reporters of Harper. "Drafted, developed, signed, been an MVP for us. He's a very unique player. There's not many comps for his performance, both in the short-term and in the bulk throughout his career. So he's a unique player with a unique talent set that is our own. We love what he's done for us, and we couldn't be happier that we know where we're at in 2018." I case it's "case closed," at least until 2019!!!!

The pitching matchup: Vince Velasquez (2-3 & 5.94 ERA) and Max Scherzer (4-2 & 2.59 ERA) will be the starters for Game 2, tonight. Velasquez had a string of three straight solid outings come to an end against Washington on May 6, when he allowed six runs on seven hits over seven innings to suffer a loss. Velasquez has 22 strikeouts in 17 career innings over three starts against Washington but is just 1-2 with a 6.88 ERA. Scherzer knows at little about 'punched outs' as well, as he's struck out 11 in each of his last two starts. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner took a no-hitter into the sixth inning at Baltimore on Tuesday but ended up without a decision as the Nationals went on to fall 5-4 in 12 innings (oh that bullpen!). Scherzer went up against Velasquez on April 7 and earned the win while allowing two runs and four hits in 6 2/3 innings. That's hardly news, as he's now 8-1 with a 1.86 ERA in 12 career starts against the Phillies (teams are 10-2).

The pick: The Phillies will begin Sunday just 6-12 on the road in 2017 and while the Nats are actually 12-6 on the road compared to 11-6 at home, it's hard not to back them at home with Scherzer on the mound, considering Washington opens Sunday averaging 5.88 RPG at home in 2017. Make Washington a 10* play.