LEADING OFF

CAN HE HELP? The NL East-leading Washington Nationals were angling to add Francisco Rodriguez to their biggest trouble spot — the bullpen. The Nats have seen a lot of late leads get away this season and hope the 35-yearold reliever can boost them. K-Rod is fourth on the career saves list with 437, but was released by Detroit last week after posting a 7.82 ERA in 25⅓ innings.

AILING: The Yankees will see how second baseman Starlin Castro and designated hitter Matt Holliday after a tough start to the week. Castro left Monday night’s game in Chicago against the White Sox after straining his right hamstring. He had just returned to the lineup after getting a shot in his wrist. Holliday didn’t start for the second straight game

because he’s feeling fatigued, and doctors are checking him.

PRIZE FIGHT: The past two NL Cy Young Award winners square off today when Nationals ace Max Scherzer takes on Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta. Scherzer (8-5, 2.09) earned the prize last year and is a leading contender again this season. He most recently pitched two-hit ball over eight innings against Miami, but lost a 2-1 game on a pair of unearned runs. Arrieta (7-5, 4.36) took the Cy Young in 2015 and finished ninth in last season’s voting, but he’s struggled this year to keep the ball in the park. His 13 homers allowed are already more than he gave up in 2015 (10) and approaching his total from last season (16).