The Nationals can become the first team to clinch a playoff slot and a division title with a win over the Phillies and a loss by the Marlins. Ben Lively takes on Stephen Strasburg. Lively pitches to contact, with a low strikeout rate and a decently low walk rate. That contact has been pretty good, however, as 31 of the 68 hits against him went for extra bases. (Lively is a good hitter so far, 6 for 21 with two home runs.) Strasburg pitched extremely well at Citizen’s Bank Park in his career. In eight starts his record is just 3-0, but his ERA stands at 1.45 with 66 K, 14 walks, and just two home runs allowed in 49 2/3 innings.

Correction: For some reason, I thought the game was in Philadelphia, but it’s being played in Washington.

The Brewers go for a sweep of the Cubs as Zach Davies face Kyle Hendricks. Davies struck out fewer batters, walked more, and gave up more hits in about the same number of innings as last season, yet his ERA is 0.20 runs lower. He allowed three fewer home runs. In addition he allowed a .276/.329/.465 slash line with runners in scoring position last season. This season that’s down to .247/.316/.413. Hendricks owns a 5.06 ERA in three starts against the Brewers this season. He’s been hot since the All-Star break with a 2.36 ERA in nine starts.

Finally, the Indians go for 18 wins in a row on Sunday Night Baseball. That streak would move them into the top ten all time, tied for fourth in the American League, and second in the era of divisional play. Jeremy Hellickson leads the Orioles against Trevor Bauer. Hellickson made seven starts since moving from Philadelphia to Baltimore, but his ERA went up over two runs compared to his poor mark with the Phillies. He allowed eight home runs in 36 2/3 innings with Baltimore. Bauer recorded the first win of the streak on Aug. 24, despite a poor performance on his part. There was only one other poor start in the streak, and overall Indians starters are 15-0 with a 1.95 ERA during the stretch.

Enjoy!