(Interstat) — WASHINGTON – The San Diego Padres open a three-game series against the Washington Nationals at 7:05 p.m. Friday at Nationals Park. Forecast: 77 degrees, clouds. San Diego (31-24) enters having lost four straight, most recently a 3-0 shutout at the hands of the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday. Right-hander Lucas Giolito (2-0) is slated to start for the Padres. Right-hander Andrew Alvarez (1-0) also is listed as a probable pitcher for San Diego. Washington (29-28) dropped a 3-2 decision at Cleveland on Wednesday. Right-hander Miles Mikolas is the scheduled starter for the Nationals. Mikolas has not factored into a decision in his past two outings, both losses, though he allowed no earned runs over a combined 8 2/3 innings in those appearances. He is 2-0 in two decisions over his past five starts. Walker Buehler is a player to watch for San Diego. The right-hander, who pitched Wednesday, has won four of his past five decisions. Over that span he has posted a 3.40 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings. Mikolas is a player to watch for Washington. He has allowed one earned run over his past 8 2/3 innings, striking out four, but the Nationals have lost both of those games. He allowed four earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in a loss to Baltimore on May 17. San Diego has been installed as a -1.5 favorite. The over/under is 8.5 runs. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-4 Washington victory. The Padres’ most recent win came May 22 against the Athletics. They have lost four of five overall. Washington has won four of its past six. Following this series, San Diego travels to Philadelphia for a three-game set starting Tuesday. Washington hosts Miami for three games beginning Monday.