The New York Yankees (38-25) and Washington Nationals (38-24) will continue a three-game interleague series on Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:05 ET

New York Yankees at Washington Nationals

New York is one of the hottest teams in baseball, winning 17 of its last 21 games, including a 7-2 series-opening win over the Washington Nationals on Friday night.  “We knew they were playing really well,” stated Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes.  “Thankfully, we scored some runs.”  The Yankees are now 16-6 in series openers this season, while pushing their record to 38-13 when hitting at least one home run.  New York is 10-7 in day games, with the “under” going 12-6 in those contests.

Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte (3-2, 2.81 ERA) has led the club to consecutive victories, but didn’t earn a decision in a 5-4 home win over the New York Mets last time out.  He allowed three runs (two earned) and five hits over six frames in that effort.  The left-hander was handed a 5-1 loss by the Los Angeles Angels in his only road start of the 2012 campaign, surrendered a season-high five runs on nine hits in seven innings.  In six career starts versus the Nationals, Pettitte has tallied a 3-1 record and 4.29 ERA, but have of those outings came when the team was located in Montreal.

Washington still sits comfortably atop the National League East standings despite last night’s setback, producing a 15-9 record in the first 24 games of a stretch that will see the team play 32 consecutive contests against divisional foes or members of the American League East.  The Nationals are 19-10 at home this season, which is among the best marks in baseball.  All of the team’s success starts with a pitching staff that entered this high-profile series leading the majors with a 2.94 ERA.

Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmerman (3-5, 2.91 ERA) has also led his squad to consecutive victories, but he’s failed to earn a decision in each outing, including a 4-3 road win over the Boston Red Sox last time out.  The right-hander has gone 0-3 with a 3.29 ERA in six home outings, with opponents hitting just .239 against him.  Zimmerman will be making his first career appearance against the Yankees.

Bettors will likely back the Nationals due to their 8-1 record in their last nine interleague games against left-handed starters, while the Yankees are 4-6 on Saturday this year.

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