The Nationals just posted 2-0 and 5-0 victories against NL West-leading San Francisco over the weekend. They hit three home runs in the wins - all by Kyle Schwarber - and aren’t far removed from belting three shots in last Tuesday's 9-7 triumph over AL East-leading Tampa Bay. Washington's pitchers need help from the offense - especially LH Jon Lester, who has watched the team lose two of his last three starts despite having allowed just one run in each. The Pirates have lost seven straight contests. I’m on the Nationals.

JT Brubaker had been really good through April but he struggled in May going 2-2 with a 4.82 ERA. Jon Lester hasn’t had the success he would like so far this season but he still didn’t allow more than one run in five of his eight starts. The Pirates are tied for the second worst wOBA against lefties this season and they have lost seven straight games. They are just 10-22 on the road this season, take the Nats in what I think will be Jon Lester’s first win with the Nats.

I'm fairly shocked that Washington, despite being a big disappointment, is only -120 at home against a terrible Pirates team. Pittsburgh is starting its best pitcher in JT Brubaker (4-5, 3.90), but he has given up 15 runs across his past four outings after a 2.58 ERA in his first seven. Nats lefty Jon Lester (0-2, 4.19) isn't great these days but still good enough to beat a Pittsburgh lineup that is 18-44 in its past 62 vs. southpaws.