Nationals take on the Orioles in first of 3-game series

Baltimore Orioles (20-24, third in the AL East) vs. Washington Nationals (21-23, third in the NL East)

Washington; Friday, 6:45 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Orioles: Shane Baz (1-4, 5.48 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 38 strikeouts); Nationals: Zack Littell (1-4, 6.94 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 17 strikeouts)

LINE: Orioles -143, Nationals +121; over/under is 9 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals host the Baltimore Orioles to open a three-game series.

Washington has a 6-13 record at home and a 21-23 record overall. The Nationals have hit 52 total home runs to rank fifth in the NL.

Baltimore has an 8-12 record on the road and a 20-24 record overall. The Orioles have gone 11-20 in games when they have given up a home run.

The teams meet Friday for the first time this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: C.J. Abrams has eight doubles, a triple and nine home runs for the Nationals. Luis Garcia is 12 for 32 with three doubles, a triple and two home runs over the past 10 games.

Gunnar Henderson is second on the Orioles with 17 extra base hits (seven doubles, a triple and nine home runs). Pete Alonso is 9 for 39 with two doubles, two home runs and eight RBIs over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Nationals: 6-4, .252 batting average, 5.42 ERA, outscored by two runs

Orioles: 5-5, .227 batting average, 4.39 ERA, outscored by seven runs

INJURIES: Nationals: : 15-Day IL (shoulder), : 15-Day IL (forearm), : 15-Day IL (elbow), : 60-Day IL (elbow), : 60-Day IL (forearm), : 60-Day IL (elbow), : 60-Day IL (elbow)