Washington hasn't lost consecutive games since April 27. I don't see the Nationals losing a second straight game to the banged-up Padres after falling 8-3 to San Diego last night when the Padres bombed Doug Fister.




The Nationals' pitching is upgraded today to Jordan Zimmerman while the Padres downgrade on the hill from All-Star Tyson Ross to Odrisamer Despaigne, who only is in San Diego's rotation because of a shoulder injury to Brandon Morrow.




Washington is 12-4 in its last 16 games. The hot-hitting Nationals were averaging 6.5 runs while batting .308 in their previous 15 games entering Thursday's series opener against San Diego. Despaigne does have a small sampling of pitching well at Petco Park, but this season his overall ERA is 5.13. San Diego is 0-4 in his last four starts outscored by 25 runs during the past three.




Zimmerman is one of the better pitchers in the National League. He's settled down after a slow start to post a 3.06 ERA during his previous five starts. The Nationals have won Zimmerman's last three starts. Zimmerman is at his finest, too, at Petco Park where he has a 0.60 career ERA in four starts.




The Nationals have won 76 percent of Zimmerman's last 29 road starts when favored.




The Padres are not at full strength. First baseman Younder Alonso, the team's leading hitter at .333, is on the disabled list with a shoulder injury and outfielder Wil Myers - who leads the Padres in runs and hits - hasn't played the past three games because of left wrist tendinitis that could land him on the DL.

(Editor's note: Stephen Nover has one of his strongest cards of the season going today as in addition to this free selection he has his American League Game of the Month and an NBA Dominator. Stephen has cashed 66 percent of his last 57 NBA plays going 37-19-1.)