With a reinforced pitching staff, the Nationals figured to be a contender in the National League East, and they're starting to look like the favorite after getting off to a 9-3 start, the best start for the franchise since 1981
Strong pitching has led Washington to wins in the first two games of a four-game home series against Houston, and the Nationals have won seven of eight to post the second-best record in the National League and open a 1 1/2-game lead in the division.
The Nationals' offense has been solid, too, though they scored only one run Tuesday, and it came when a defensive miscue allowed Adam LaRoche's popup to drop for an RBI single in shallow left.
The Astros got off to a strong start by winning three of their first four, but they've lost six of seven since, including their last three.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Houston (Houston), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lucas Harrell (1-0, 3.27 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (1-0, 1.29 ERA)
The 26-year-old Harrell was outstanding in his season debut, throwing seven scoreless innings against Colorado, but he had a tough time locating early in the count Friday in Miami and gave up four runs on seven hits over four innings. Harrell has made only one appearance against Washington, allowing an unearned run in 1 1/3 innings of relief last season.
Zimmermann is sometimes overshadowed by fellow right-hander Stephen Strasburg, but the 25-year-old has been every bit as dominant as his higher-profile teammate this year. He has allowed only three runs (two earned) in 14 innings over two starts, but he doesn't have a win to show for it, because the Nationals have scored only five runs in support of him and rallied late to win his last outing. Zimmermann has struggled against Houston, going 0-2 with a 7.15 ERA in two starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. The turnover in the Astros roster means only four players on the current team have faced Zimmermann, and only two — Carlos Lee (3-for-6) and Chris Johnson (1-for-2) have hits against him.
2. After a terrible first season in Washington, OF Jayson Werth is hitting .362 so far this season. He went 2-for-3 Tuesday to extend his hitting streak to nine games.
3. Astros 2B Jose Altuve already has six multi-hit games. He had 11 in 57 games after making his major-league debut last season.