The set-up: The Nats returned home off a 7-2 road trip but instead a Thursday "off-day," had to play a make-up game with the Orioles. The Mats won 6-1 and at 39-21, own the NL's best record, as well as an 11 1/2 game lead in the NL East. Washington continues what will now be a seven-game homestand with a three-game series against the Texas Rangers. Texas has dropped 11 of 14 and its 10-game winning steak (May 9-19), seems further removed than just a month. The Rangers find themselves in the midst of a brutal schedule to start the month of June with nine of their first 11 games against teh Astros and the Nationals, teams with the two best records in baseball.

The pitching matchup: Andrew Cashner (2-5 & 3.39 ERA) gets the nod for Texas and Tanner Roark (6-2 & 3.95 ERA). Casher got an elephant off his back in his last start of May, ending an 18-start road win-less streak dating to September 2015. However, there was no carry over from his streak-busting win on the road, as he allowed five runs on a season-worst 11 hits over six innings in his first start of June, losing 6-5 at home to Houston last Saturday. Cashner is 2-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 12 career appearances (seven starts / 3-4 witha 5.20 ERA) versus Washington. Roark endured a four-start win-less drought (from May 2-18 (Nats were 1-3) but has won his last three outings, pitching at least seven innings in each while allowing just a combined five ERs (2.18 ERA). Roark has made one start against Texas, allowing only one run in seven innings but took the loss back on June 1, 2014.

The pick: Speaking of 2014, Roark won 15 games that year, pitched out of the bullpen most of 2015 and then won a career-high 16 games last season. Tonight, he looks to become the third seven-game winner for the Washington Nationals in 2017. As for Cashner, he's back out on the road and remember, he won his most recent road start on May 28 but that ended an 18-start road win-less streak dating to September 2015. Make the Nats an 8* play.