SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — The Washington Nationals will try to avoid a three-game sweep when they close a series against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday evening at PETCO Park.

Washington (67-80) has dropped the first two games of the series by one run each, falling 3-2 on Monday and 5-4 on Tuesday. The Nationals have lost six of their past eight and are looking to salvage the finale behind a young pitching staff. San Diego (77-68) has won two straight and remains in the National League playoff race. The Padres have won four of five and are 5-5 over their past 10 games. Washington was swept in three games at the Los Angeles Dodgers before arriving in San Diego and has lost five straight on the road.

Jackson Kent (1-3) is Washington’s probable starter. Kent enters with a 1-3 record and will face a Padres lineup that has been productive at home. Walker Buehler (8-6) is listed as San Diego’s probable pitcher. Buehler has been a steady presence for the Padres, posting an 8-6 record this season.

The forecast calls for cloudy skies and a first-pitch temperature near 97 degrees at PETCO Park.

Riley Cornelio is a player to watch for Washington. Cornelio was sharp in his most recent appearance, tossing three hitless innings with four strikeouts in Tuesday’s loss at San Diego. In his previous outing Sept. 2 against Atlanta, he allowed three earned runs over 2 2/3 innings while striking out three. Over his past two appearances, Cornelio has 5 2/3 innings pitched, three hits allowed, three earned runs and seven strikeouts.

San Diego’s player to watch is Casey Mize. Mize earned the win Tuesday against Washington, allowing three earned runs over 5 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts. Over his past five appearances, Mize has struck out 15 batters in 23 1/3 innings while allowing 13 earned runs.

The Padres lead the season series 3-2. San Diego won the first two games of this series, 3-2 Monday and 5-4 Tuesday. Washington won two of three in the previous series May 29-31 in Washington.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a final score of San Diego 5, Washington 4. The ELO system gives San Diego a 63.5% probability to win. San Diego is installed as a -1.5 favorite, and the over/under is 8.5.

After this game, Washington returns home to open a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. San Diego will begin a three-game series at the San Francisco Giants on Friday.