The set-up: I think the surging Nationals come in focused on the task at hand and find a way to get the job done here in the end. The visitors hand the ball to Patrick Corbin, while the home side goes with Joe Musgrove.

The pitchers: Corbin (9-5, 3.34 ERA) comes in off a gem vs. the Brewers on Friday, giving up one run off seven hits with eight K's and four walks over six innings. He faced the Pirates once this season and dominated them, allowing one run over seven innings with 11 strikeouts.

Musgrove (8-11, 4.59) gave up two runs over seven innings with nine strikeouts in a no-decision to the Cubs on Friday. Musgrove had lost three of his previous four.

The pick: Washington can ill afford to take the foot off the gas at this point and after yesterday's 4-1 setback, I think the stage is now set for a quick response (previous to yesterday's loss the Nats had scored 62 runs over five games.) Lay the price.

8* PITCHING BLOWOUT on Washington.