PHOENIX (Interstat) — The Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks continue their series Saturday evening at Chase Field, with right-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (5-1) slated to start for Washington against Arizona righty Ryne Nelson.

Washington enters the game at 31-32, coming off a 4-1 loss Wednesday to the Miami Marlins. The Nationals have dropped three straight. Arizona, 33-29, beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 on Thursday behind Nelson’s strong start.

Nelson (7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 K) earned the win in his last outing June 4. Over his previous four starts, he has three wins and a 2.91 ERA. For Washington, Rodriguez has been reliable, posting a 5-1 record, though he has not faced the Diamondbacks this season.

Players to watch include Washington’s Andrew Alvarez, who has been used primarily in relief. In his most recent appearance June 3 against Miami, Alvarez threw 4.2 innings, allowing four hits and one earned run with five strikeouts. Over his last five outings, he has a 3.50 ERA across 16 innings, with three wins.

For Arizona, Nelson is also a key figure. In his past five starts, he has three wins and a 2.93 ERA, striking out 20 in 34.1 innings. His last outing was his strongest, limiting the Dodgers to two runs over seven innings.

Friday’s series opener ended in a 0-0 tie, though no details on how the game concluded were available. The teams have not faced each other this season prior to this weekend.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-4 victory for Washington, though Arizona has been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus-1.5. The over-under is 9 runs.

Washington’s recent struggles include losing three straight to Miami, though the Nationals took two of three from San Diego before that. Arizona has won four of its last five, with the lone loss coming by a single run in 10 innings at Seattle.

The series continues Sunday afternoon before Washington travels to San Francisco for a three-game set starting Monday. Arizona heads to Miami for three games beginning Tuesday.