WASHINGTON (Interstat) — The Washington Nationals look to continue their push above .500 when they open a three-game series Monday night against the Toronto Blue Jays at Nationals Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with a forecast of 82 degrees and rain. The Nationals enter at 54-52, sitting two games over .500 and within striking distance of a wild-card spot. The Blue Jays (48-58) arrive in the nation’s capital after a 6-1 loss Sunday at Boston, their fourth defeat in five games. Toronto right-hander Kevin Gausman is expected to start. The veteran has struggled this month, losing all five of his July outings. His most recent start Sunday at Fenway Park was one of his better efforts: six innings, five hits, three earned runs and six strikeouts in a losing cause. However, he was tagged for four earned runs in 3⅓ innings July 21 against Tampa Bay and allowed four earned runs in six innings July 12 at San Diego. Gausman’s lone quality start in his last five came June 30 against the New York Mets, when he allowed one earned run over six innings but took the loss. C.J. Abrams has been Washington’s most productive hitter. The shortstop went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBIs in Sunday’s 10-7 win over Arizona. Over his last 10 games, Abrams is batting .432 with six homers and 15 RBIs. He had multi-hit efforts in seven of those 10 contests, including a 4-for-5 performance July 22 at Colorado and a 3-for-4, one-homer day July 25 against the Diamondbacks. The Blue Jays’ offense has been inconsistent. Shortstop Andrés Giménez went 3-for-4 with an RBI in Sunday’s loss. Toronto has scored three runs or fewer in seven of its last 10 games. The Nationals have won four of their last six. Their offense has been powered by Abrams and outfielder James Wood, who went 2-for-4 with two homers and three RBIs on Sunday. Reliever Clayton Beeter earned the win with a scoreless inning. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 5-3 Washington victory. The Nationals have been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus-1.5. The over/under is 10 runs. The series continues Tuesday and Wednesday before the Nationals travel to Atlanta for a four-game set against the Braves. The Blue Jays head to Houston after the series for a three-game road trip.