Categories: Gameday

2020 Series Preview: Washington Nationals (12-19) at Philadelphia Phillies (14-15)

Aaron Nola will pitch for the Phillies during their series with the Nationals. (Ian D’Andrea)

After losing five straight against the Red Sox, Blue Jays and Braves, the Phillies turned things around to win five of their next six. They nearly made it six in a row, rallying from a 10-run deficit against Atlanta on Sunday, but the Phils ended up losing 12-10.

Their recent stretch puts them into a second place tie with the Marlins in the National League East. Philadelphia and Miami are also tied for the third Wild Card spot in the National League.

The Phillies are 2-0 against the Nationals this season. Their three-game series was cut short due to rain. The Phils and Nats will play eight more games against one another, including this upcoming series.

Shibe Vintage Sports Probable Pitchers

Game 1: RHP Erik Fedde (1-2, 3.57 ERA, 5.65 FIP) vs. RHP Spencer Howard (0-1, 6.17 ERA, 7.00 FIP)
Game 2: LHP Patrick Corbin (2-2, 3.82 ERA, 3.73 FIP) vs. Aaron Nola (3-2, 3.00 ERA, 3.39 FIP)
Game 3: RHP Max Scherzer (3-1, 3.86 ERA, 3.06 FIP) vs. RHP Zach Wheeler (3-0, 2.58 ERA, 3.32 FIP)
Game 4: RHP Anibal Sanchez (1-4, 6.90 ERA, 6.07 FIP) vs. Zach Eflin (2-1, 4.10 ERA, 2.72 FIP)

Two of Spencer Howard’s three starts have taken place as part of seven-innings doubleheaders. The Phils top prospect has yet to make it out of the fifth inning since being promoted. He had a strong outing last time over 3.2 innings, allowing just one run while striking out five, which was a new career-high in his young career.

During the month of August, Aaron Nola has gradually decreased his ERA from 3.97 to 3.00. Over his six starts this month, the 27-year-old has allowed just eight earned runs in 30.2 innings, good for a 2.35 ERA. He tossed seven innings of two-run ball, striking out eight, in his last start against Washington.

Wheeler hasn’t been a volume strikeout pitcher since joining the Phils, but he has been the steadiest of Philadelphia’s starters since the shortened season began. The Phils are 4-2 when Wheeler starts. In his last outing against Atlanta, he gave up one earned run on six hits over 5.2 innings of work.

Eflin is coming off of his best start of the 2020 campaign, which featured the debut of a nasty curveball. As part of a 4-1 Phils win over the Braves, Eflin hurled seven innings, allowing just one run while striking out eight.

Pregame Phillies Nuggets

Over the last five games, Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins is slashing .333/.417/.810 with a double and three home runs. Hoskins’ average had dropped to .200 on August 20th, but his recent stretch has him up to .239.
While the Phils come into this series winners of five of their last six, Washington has lost five of their last six. They’re coming off losing two out of three to Boston. The Nationals sit three games behind the Phillies and Marlins for the final National League Wild Card spot.

On Saturday, the Nationals signed veteran utility-man Brock Holt to a one-year deal. Holt has played every defensive position except for catcher and pitcher in his career. In 30 career plate appearances against the Phils, Holt has 10 hits, including three doubles and a home run.
Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen has caught fire. The 33-year-old finally looks like he’s fully recovered from his 2019 leg injury, slashing .365/.389/.577 with three homers and 13 RBIs over the last 12 games.

Ticket IQ Programming Information

Game 1: Monday at 7:05 pm on NBC Sports Philadelphia and SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game 2: Tuesday at 7:05 pm on NBC Sports Philadelphia and SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game 3: Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. on NBC Sports Philadelphia and SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game 4: Thursday at 4:05 p.m. on NBC Sports Philadelphia and SportsRadio 94 WIP