The set-up: The Nats, owners of MLB's second-largest division lead, returned from the break and right out of the gate got a four-game series at Cincinnati against the last-place (NL Central) Reds. Bryce Harper hit a pair of HRs in Friday's 5-0 victory, as the Nationals improved to 6-2 in their last eight contests overall and upped their road record to an impressive 27-17. The Reds fell to 23-21 at home and 39-50 overall, 10 1/2 games out of first in their division.

The pitching matchup: Max Scherzer (10-5 & 2.10 ERA) gets the nod for Washington and Luis Castillo (1-1 & 3.13 ERA) for Cincinnati. Scherzer settled for a no-decision in his final start before the All-Star break, allowing four runs on six hits over 7 2/3 innings but the Nationals went on to beat Atlanta 5-4. The NL's All Star game starter had permitted two or fewer ERs in his previous eight starts, going 6-2 in that stretch. Scherzer is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in three career starts against the Reds (teams are 1-2). Castillo is a rookie who has given up two or fewer runs in three of his first four major-league starts. He earned his first victory last time out with 6 2/3 scoreless innings at Arizona, as the Reds won 7-0. He owns a 30-10 KW ratio over 23 innings in his four starts. Castillo allowed five hits and two runs on solo homers by Brian Goodwin and Anthony Rendon in five innings and was in line for the win before a blown save led to a 6-5 Washington win back on June 23 in his MLB debut.

The pick: Scherzer over Castillo (fifth career start) is a "no-brainer," as he takes major league-best 2.10 ERA and NL-leading 173 strikeouts into Saturday's start. Scherzer also has the added bonus in that the Nationals feature a lineup that includes the National League's top three hitters, Murphy (.342), Harper (.327) and Zimmerman (.327). You don't see that too often! Make the Nats an 8* play.