Game 68: Pirates at Nationals

Game two of three in DC versus the Nats.
Probable starters: Francisco Liriano (4-5, 2.94) vs. Max Scherzer (7-5, 1.93)
Game preview:
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/201506...game_pk=414682
"Liriano, Scherzer to duel as Bucs, Nats continue set
By Jacob Emert / MLB.com | + 0 COMMENTS
For the first time since he tossed a complete-game one-hitter in Milwaukee, Max Scherzer will take the bump for the Nationals. He'll face off against Francisco Liriano and the Pirates in the second of a three-game series on Saturday at Nationals Park.
Pittsburgh entered Friday's opener having won eight straight and 13 of 16 before the Nats halted that with a 4-1 win. The Bucs have also had major success against teams from the National League East, going 13-4 in their first 17 contests. The Pirates entered Friday firmly in second place in the NL Central, four games back of the Cardinals and three games ahead of the third-place Cubs.
Three things to watch for in this game:
• The first two-plus months of the season have been somewhat of a roller-coaster in the nation's capital. After a slow 7-13 start, the Nationals caught fire -- in large part because of Bryce Harper's unreal May -- going 21-6 over their next 27 games. But they slipped after the fiery stretch, dropping 14 of their next 20 before Friday's victory.
• A major reason for the Pirates' recent success has been the performance of their starting pitching. Pittsburgh starters entered Friday having allowed a total of seven runs during the winning streak, and the Pirates have won each of their last six games when scoring three runs or fewer.
• Liriano has been a large part of that impressive starting rotation. He is 3-1 with a 1.29 ERA over his last five starts and has been dominant on the road, allowing seven earned runs in 41 1/3 innings pitched. Last season against the Nationals, he allowed four runs in five innings in a 5-2 loss.
Jacob Emert is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs."