PREVIEW: Nationals at Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Washington Nationals visit the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday at 6:50 p.m. at George Steinbrenner Field in a matchup of division contenders trending in opposite directions.

Tampa Bay (41-30) holds a two-game lead in the American League East and returns home after a 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. Washington (39-36) dropped its series finale against Kansas City 6-2 on Wednesday and sits third in the National League East.

The forecast calls for 86 degrees with clouds.

Pitching matchup

Right-hander Zack Littell (4-3, 4.09 ERA) starts for Washington. Littell is coming off a loss Tuesday against Kansas City, allowing four earned runs on seven hits over five innings in a 6-2 defeat. His command has wavered (Interstat) — he lasted only 1 2/3 innings against Seattle on June 12, surrendering five earned runs.

Littell’s consistency, however, dates to late May, when he won three consecutive starts. He tossed seven innings of one-run ball May 25 at Cleveland and followed with six innings of two-run ball May 31 against San Diego.

Left-hander Shane McClanahan (4-6, 4.88) takes the mound for Tampa Bay. He has lost three straight decisions, including Wednesday’s 5-4 loss at Dodger Stadium, where he allowed two earned runs over 3 2/3 innings.

McClanahan has struggled with pitch efficiency, failing to complete five innings in two of his past three outings. His last quality start came May 31 against the Los Angeles Angels, when he surrendered one earned run over five innings.

Recent performance

Washington split its six-game homestand against Seattle and Kansas City, winning series against both clubs before dropping the finale to the Royals. The Nationals’ offense averaged 5.5 runs during the homestand.

Tampa Bay went 2-4 on a six-game road trip through Los Angeles, dropping series to both the Angels and Dodgers.

Betting line

The Interstat game simulator projects a 6-4 Washington win. The Nationals are listed as minus-1.5 favorites. The over/under is eight runs.

Looking ahead

The teams continue the three-game series Saturday and Sunday at Steinbrenner Field. Washington opens a four-game set against Philadelphia on Monday. Tampa Bay welcomes Kansas City for four games starting Monday.