Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies Series Preview 6/22/18 – 6/24/18
The race to the All-Star break is on in the NL East. Atlanta, Washington, and Philadelphia are all within a 3 game span of each other. Which makes this series incredibly vital for both the Nationals and the Phillies.
The Nationals are going into this series with a record of 40-33 compared to the Phillies 39-33.
In the first series between the NL East foes the Nationals came out on top 2-1. In the first game of the series Gio Gonzalez got the win for the Nats with some help from Bryce Harper hitting two homeruns from the leadoff spot leading Washington to a 7-3 triumph. The second game went to the Phillies as Vince Velasquez beat out Tanner Roark for the win. Rhys Hoskins hit a two-run homerun in the first inning and the Nationals could not eclipse that score as they lost 3-1.
In the final game of the series the Nationals won 5-4 on the shoulders of Max Scherzer and Wilmer Difo. Scherzer tallied 15 strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings. After Scherzer was pulled, the Phillies scored a quick four runs to take the lead in the top of the 8th inning. In the bottom of the 8th inning Nationals 3rd Baseman Anthony Rendon hit a 2 RBI single to close the gap to a 4-3 Phillies lead going into the 9th inning. In the bottom of the 9th inning a crucial walk from Pedro Severino tied the game up at 4-4 scoring Rafael Bautista. Wilmer Difo then hit a bases loaded walk-off single which scored Howie Kendrick for the 5-4 victory. Sean Doolittle was awarded the win for the game.
In the first series the Nationals totaled 13 runs, 18 hits, drew 21 walks, had a .205 team batting average, and accumulated a .369 on base percentage.
The Phillies totaled 10 runs, 23 hits, drew 10 walks, had a .225 team batting average, and a combined .301 on base percentage.
Nationals pitchers struck out 38 Philadelphia batters over 3 games averaging 12.67 strikeouts per game. Phillies pitchers struck out 21 Washington batters in the series averaging 7 strikeouts per game.
The upcoming series will feature the pitching matchups of Tanner Roark (3-7) vs. Zach Eflin (4-2) in the first game of the series, Aaron Nola (8-2) vs. Eric Fedde (0-2), and Nick Pivetta (4-6) vs. Jefry Rodriguez (0-0).
The Nationals are entering this series coming off a series win against the Baltimore Orioles.
But the Nats have only won three out of their last ten games. Philadelphia on the other hand has won seven out of their last ten games including a series win over St. Louis on Wednesday.
