Nationals @ Giants

Who will WIN this matchup?

Washington Nationals (59-53)

@ San Francisco Giants (56-57)

Starting Pitchers:

Sanchez (WSH): 6-6; 3.80 ERA

Menez (SF) 0-0; 3.60 ERA

Last 10 Games Played:

Washington Nationals: 4-6

San Francisco Giants: 4-6

Current odds:

Washington Nationals: (-105)

San Francisco Giants: (-105)

• The Washington Nationals avoided a three-game losing streak and bettered their standing in the National League wild-card race with a victory in the series opener. Washington looks to move over .500 on its nine-game road trip when it visits the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday for the middle contest of their three-game set. The Nationals had lost two straight and seven of 10 before posting a 4-0 victory over the Giants on Monday behind six strong innings from Erick Fedde. Anthony Rendon recorded two of the team’s six hits and drove in a run as Washington moved one-half game ahead of St. Louis for a wild-card spot.

• San Francisco is 3 1/2 games back in the race after losing for the fourth time in five contests this month. Scooter Gennett has hit safely in three of his four games since being acquired from Cincinnati at the trade deadline while Mike Yastrzemski has recorded at least one hit in seven of his last nine contests.

• Sanchez’s string of five straight solid starts came to an end Wednesday, but he escaped with a no-decision against Atlanta after yielding four runs and 10 hits over five innings. Despite the rough outing, the 35-year-old Venezuelan is riding a 12-start unbeaten streak during which he has recorded six victories. Sanchez has pitched well versus San Francisco over his career, going 4-1 with two shutouts and a 2.05 ERA in seven starts.

• Menez is expected to be recalled from the minors to make the second start of his major-league career. The 24-year-old Californian made his debut against the New York Mets on July 21, when he gave up two runs and three hits (two home runs) with two walks and six strikeouts in five innings of a no-decision. Menez posted a 5-3 record and 3.29 ERA in 20 combined games (19 starts) with Double-A Richmond and Triple-A Sacramento this season.

• Rendon, who hasn’t gone without a hit in back-to-back games since June 27 and 28, has collected 24 RBIs over his last 20 contests.

• Washington reportedly is on the verge of signing INF Asdrubal Cabrera, who was released by Texas on Saturday after hitting .235 with 12 homers and 51 RBIs in 93 games this season.

• San Francisco claimed RHP Ryan Dull off waivers from Oakland and optioned him to Sacramento.