WASHINGTON (Interstat) — Andrew Abbott takes the mound Friday night as the Cincinnati Reds open a three-game series against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Abbott (6-7) starts for Cincinnati (56-58), which has won three straight after sweeping a three-game home series against Oakland. In his most recent outing Thursday, the left-hander allowed three runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings with four strikeouts in a 6-5 victory over the Athletics. Washington (56-61) will look to outfielder Andrew Pinckney for offense. Pinckney went 1 for 2 with a home run and an RBI in Thursday’s 7-3 loss at Philadelphia. The Nationals have dropped three of their last four games. The forecast calls for rain and 84 degrees at game time. Cincinnati’s offense has supported Abbott with timely power. In Thursday’s win, Sal Stewart went 2 for 4 with a home run and an RBI, and JJ Bleday was 2 for 3 with a home run and an RBI. Abbott has been up and down recently. In his past five starts, he allowed three earned runs or fewer four times, but lasted only four innings July 12 against the Cubs. He pitched at least five innings in the other four starts. The Reds and Nationals last met May 12-14 in Cincinnati. Washington won the first two games, 10-4 and 8-7, before the Reds took the finale 15-1. Cincinnati’s recent results include victories Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday over Oakland in Cincinnati. Washington, meanwhile, has struggled to string together wins, with a 10-4 victory in 11 innings Wednesday at Philadelphia serving as the lone bright spot in its recent stretch. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 6-2 Reds win, while the site’s ELO system gives Washington a 50.60 percent probability to win. The series continues Saturday and Sunday at Nationals Park. For Cincinnati, the goal is to keep its momentum and climb back toward a winning record. For Washington, the priority is to protect home field and avoid falling further below .500. Abbott will be the central figure for the Reds. If he can work deep into the game and keep Washington’s lineup off balance, Cincinnati likely will have a good chance to extend its winning streak. Pinckney, who showed power Thursday, will try to spark a Nationals offense that has struggled for consistency. With both teams hovering around the .500 mark in August, this series could carry significance as the season enters its final stretch. Friday’s opener offers a matchup between a Reds team gaining confidence and a Nationals team looking to stabilize before a long homestand.