Overview

• Merrill Kelly (5-2, 3.52 ERA) will oppose Washington right-hander Jake Irvin (4-1, 3.42) in Friday’s opener at Chase Field
• Washington has won eight of its last 11 games after a 9-3 win over Seattle fueled by Luis Garcia’s four-hit night
• Corbin Carroll’s 16 home runs and James Wood’s 15 long balls place both among the National League’s top five sluggers
• Arizona has lost seven of its last eight games and ranks second-worst in the NL with a 5.49 bullpen ERA
• Ketel Marte’s availability remains uncertain due to illness, while the Nationals continue without injured players Jacob Young and Dylan Crews