The set-up: The Washington Nationals have won the first three of this four-game series in Arizona, despite scoring only seven runs in the three contests. Pitching and defense have dominated the first three games and the Nats now look to complete a four-game sweep of the NL West-leading D'backs. The Nationals have won 12 of their last 14 to surge five games over .500 (23-18 and 1 1/2 games back of the first-place Braves) following an 11-16 start. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks have lost a season-high four straight games and are assured of dropping their first series of the season. Arizona looks to avoid the dreaded four-game home sweep, entering the contest 23-15, 2 1/2 games ahead of the Rockies in the division.

The pitching matchup: Jeremy Hellickson (1-0, 2.28 ERA) gets the nod for Washington and will square off against Arizona's Zack Godley (4-2, 3.83). Hellickson has allowed three or fewer runs in all five of his starts but has just one decision to show for it. He was perfect through six innings last time out at San Diego and he finished with eight strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings to earn a 4-0 win. He enters this contest having not given up a run in 12 1/3 innings across his last two outings but he is 0-3 with a 4.94 ERA in five starts against Arizona. Godley opened the 2018 season with two strong outings (2-0 with an 0.50 ERA) but he has recorded only one quality start in his last five games (5.54 ERA). He gave up four runs in 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, getting hurt by allowing four walks. Godley is 3-1 with a 4.00 ERA in six games (four starts) against the Nationals.
The pick: The Nationals have scored just seven runs to win the first three games of the series, 2-1, 3-1, 2-1, as the team's pitching staff that has held Arizona to a single run in each contest. Washington has become the first team to take a series from Arizona this season with its victory Saturday, carried by strong starting pitching and a new-look lineup that produced just enough. However, expecting a four-game road sweep is a 'steep ask!' Hellickson is just 0-3 in five starts against the Diamondbacks, including a no-decision this season in which he gave up two bases-empty HRs to David Peralta in 5 1/3 innings of a game that Arizona won in the 11th inning. He is also 6-6 in 15 starts at Chase Field, most of that coming in his one season with the Diamondbacks in 2015. I say "no sweep" for Washington, as the D'backs earn the win. Make Arizona a 10* play.