Washington Nationals (56-83, fifth in the NL East) vs. Chicago Cubs (80-60, second in the NL Central)

Chicago; Friday, 2:20 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Jake Irvin (8-10, 5.42 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 102 strikeouts); Cubs: Javier Assad (1-1, 4.05 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 10 strikeouts)

Cubs -233, Nationals +190; over/under is 10 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals aim to keep a three-game win streak alive when they play the Chicago Cubs.

Chicago has an 80-60 record overall and a 43-26 record in home games. Cubs hitters have a collective .427 slugging percentage to rank seventh in the majors.

Washington is 27-41 on the road and 56-83 overall. The Nationals have gone 31-16 in games when they did not give up a home run.

Friday's game is the fourth time these teams square of

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