Play $50 on the Nats. The Snakes are hungry. They are one of four teams playing musical chairs with three playoff seats available. They moved closer last night. Ketel Marte and Lourdes Gurriel homered. Zac Gallen (four runs) was lucky to pick up his 13th win, and they slithered past the Brewers 7-4. Winner. Downs -538 curtschillings.

The Washington Nationals (68-86) will attempt to stop a five-game losing skid on Saturday versus the Chicago Cubs (79-75), with first pitch at 2:20 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field.The Nationals (+117

With nine days remaining in the regular season, the Chicago Cubs aren’t officially eliminated from postseason contention, but that is merely a formality at this point. It’s a disappointing position for the organization to be in,

Cubs manager Craig Counsell wasn’t trying to downplay the 10 games that separate his team and the National League Central champion Brewers. “I think the message sent is that there’s a big gap,” Counsell said after the Cubs’ loss the day before had clinched the division for the Brewers.

The Washington Nationals reactivated Trevor Williams before Friday afternoon's game at Chicago, and the right-hander was set to make his first start since May 30 against the Cubs and Jameson Taillon.