September 19, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Isaac Paredes (17) hits the ball throughout the fifth inning in opposition to the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Subject An RBI sacrifice fly ball. Obligatory Credit score: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Photographs The Chicago Cubs will proceed their four-game collection in opposition to the visiting Washington Nationals on Friday afternoon to maintain their flickering postseason aspirations alive.
The Cubs (78-75) snapped a two-game skid with a 7-6 win over the Nationals (68-85) in Thursday’s collection opener.
On Thursday, the highest participant in Chicago’s lineup got here out, and the No. 1-4 hitters mixed to go 10-for-16 with seven runs and 5 RBIs.
“Actually, the beginning lineup has been excellent,” Cubs supervisor Craig Counsell mentioned.
Ian Happ and Dansby Swanson every had three hits, Cody Bellinger drove in three and Seiya Suzuki led the workforce with three hits of the season. His two-hit efficiency was highlighted by a career-high twenty first residence run.
“Seiya is having a extremely good season,” Counsell mentioned of Suzuki, who has had successful in ten straight video games. “He is actually pretty much as good now as he ever was. Does a extremely good job, swings very well, hits the ball very well. Simply making an attempt to get guys on base when he is on the market.”
Nonetheless, Chicago got here near being eradicated from the playoffs. The Cubs are seven video games away from the ultimate wild-card spot within the Nationwide League, with 9 remaining.
Given Washington’s place within the standings, there is not any want to fret about that.
Nonetheless, the Nationals have misplaced their present 4 video games by 29 factors and have given up 33 factors in 4 video games in opposition to Chicago
Nonetheless, Washington welcomed a surge of power from Joey Gallo within the collection opener. The slugger hit a three-run homer within the sixth inning on Thursday, his second deep within the final 4 video games.
Gallo replaces Jacob Younger, who exited Thursday’s recreation with shoulder soreness after being caught stealing a base within the second inning.
Washington right-hander Trevor Williams (5-0, 2.22 ERA) is predicted to be activated from the 60-day disabled checklist to begin Friday’s recreation. He has been sidelined since Could 30 because of an elbow flexor pressure.
Williams’ anticipated return permits the Nationals to show to a six-man rotation to finish the season.
“He mentioned he felt good,” Washington head coach Dave Martinez mentioned. “He’s going to have an opportunity to begin and we’re going to have an opportunity to push these guys again a bit of bit.”
Williams, 32, returns to the Nationals after making two rehab begins with Harrisburg. He allowed two runs on eight hits and struck out 5 batters in 7 1/3 innings.
Williams is 4-7 with a 4.73 ERA in 17 profession video games (13 begins) in opposition to the Cubs. Bellinger went 5-for-13, hitting two residence runs with Williams.
Chicago will ship right-hander Jameson Taillon (10-8, 3.54) to the mound on Friday afternoon.
The 32-year-old Taillon prolonged his unbeaten run to 4 begins after failing to attain a call in his final recreation. He allowed two runs on 5 hits in six innings in opposition to the Colorado Rockies on Saturday in Denver.
Taillon has a 0-1 report with a 4.38 ERA in seven profession begins in opposition to the Nationals (all begins).
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