Opposite dugout: Recent surge has stoked Pirates' postseason chances

Manager: Clint Hurdle (6th season)

Record: 46-43

Last 10 games: 8-2

Who to watch: LF Starling Marte (.316/.363/.460 with 30 SB), RF Gregory Polanco (.287 with 12 HR, 50 RBIs), CF Andrew McCutchen (14 HR, 38 RBIs), RHP Gerrit Cole (5-4, 2.77 ERA), RHP Mark Melancon (1.23 ERA, 27 saves)

Season series vs. Nationals: 1st meeting (3-4 in 2015)

Pitching probables:

July 15: LHP Francisco Liriano vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASN
July 16: RHP Gerrit Cole vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 7:05 p.m., MASN
July 17: RHP Chad Kuhl vs. RHP Max Scherzer, 1:35 p.m., MASN

Inside the Pirates:

Think the Pirates enjoyed the timing of the All-Star break? A few days off aside, the folks from the confluence of three rivers had been on a roll, opening July on a six-game winning streak and winning eight of their first 10 games of the month. That got the battling Bucs back on the right side of .500, but they open the second half 7 ½ games back of the first-place Cubs in the National League Central, with the Cardinals in between them and first place. It will take a monumental collapse by the Cubs for the Pirates to factor into the division race, and Pittsburgh's easiest path to the postseason could be via the wild card, where they've lost the one-game play-in in two of the past three seasons. It'll be interesting to see how close the Pirates stay to contention, as they've got some pieces that could be attractive if they decide to become sellers - or if the standings decide for them. But for now, expect Clint Hurdle's club to shut out distractions and focus on their usual one-day-at-a-time brand of baseball.

The Pirates are adept at getting on base - their .337 OBP is third-highest in the majors - and when they reach, they run. Pittsburgh has swiped 68 bases this season, ranking fourth in the bigs, and 30 of them have come from All-Star Starling Marte, who has slashed .316/.363/.460. But the Pirates need to do a better job at cashing in their runners. Center fielder Andrew McCutchen is mired in a season-long struggle with a .247 average and has only driven in 38 runs despite a team-high 14 homers. Pesky second baseman Josh Harrison has 41 RBIs, but isn't getting on base regularly enough. Right fielder Gregory Polanco is hitting .287 with a team-leading 50 RBIs, but is slashing only .188/.212/.375 this month. The Pirates recalled stud first base prospect Josh Bell from Triple-A Indianapolis just before the All-Star break, and he's already socked a pinch-hit grand slam, but it remains to be seen if he can produce over the long haul - many a rookie has been done in by the dog days of August and September. There are guys capable of contributing up and down the Pittsburgh lineup, veterans with track records. But asking them to carry a club is asking a lot.

The strong pitching that made the Pirates tough over the past few seasons has disappeared; their 4.36 team ERA ranks 17th and their 634 strikeouts are next-to-last in the majors. Friday night starter Francisco Liriano has struggled to a 5-8 record and 5.15 ERA in 17 starts, and needs to get back on track for the Pirates to remain relevant. The veteran southpaw has won once in his past eight starts and has had trouble working deep into games. He's 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in two career starts at Nationals Park and 2-2 with a 3.70 ERA in four lifetime starts versus Washington. Right-hander Gerrit Cole will be activated off the disabled list, where he's missed time with a right triceps strain, to make Saturday night's start. When healthy, Cole has been Pittsburgh's most reliable starter, going 5-4 with a 2.77 ERA in 12 outings. He's 0-1 in his last four starts after winning three consecutive decisions in mid-May. Cole is 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA in three career starts against the Nationals. Sunday starter Chad Kuhl is a 23-year-old rookie who has made three major league starts since joining the rotation in late June. Foes slash .327/.377/.564 off him in limited action, and he's never faced the Nats.

The Pirates have asked a lot of their bullpen, which has turned in 314 innings, second-most in the majors. All-Star closer Mark Melancon has been his usual reliable self, posting 27 saves in 28 tries with a 1.23 ERA and 0.98 WHIP. He's getting some decent setup work from a resurgent righty Neftali Feliz (3-0, 2,88 ERA) and steady lefty Tony Watson (3.00 ERA). Pittsburgh's relief corps can be tough, so the Nationals need to make hay against the starters and not rely on late rallies.