By: Nick Mandarano, contributor 
PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies (5-6) will try to build a new winning streak tonight while Aaron Nola seeks his first win of 2016. Darin Ruf returns to the starting lineup following a minor shoulder injury and will see his first start in left field this season. Phillies manager Pete Mackanin has elected to start Howard at first base against the right-handed Max Scherzer despite a career .083 (1-12) average against him. Ruf is 2-6 all-time against Scherzer with a double and two strikeouts.
Despite a rough outing from Jeremy Hellickson last night, the Phillies' rotation has been outstanding. The staff leads the majors in WAR. Vince Velasquez, Jerad Eickhoff and Aaron Nola all rank within the Major League's top 12 pitchers in WAR. The Phillies will look to Nola to continue the rotation's success and steer the Phillies back on track.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Washington Nationals (8-1) | Philadelphia Phillies (5-6) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Max Scherzer | RHP | Aaron Nola | ||
| (1-0, 4.15 ERA) | (0-1, 3.21 ERA) | ||||
Max Scherzer — Age: 31;
- Last Appearance: April 11, 2016, vs ATL: W, 6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 6 SO
- Career vs. PHI: (4-1), 6 G, 40.0 IP, 28 H, 10 R, 5 BB, 42 SO, 1 HR, 2.25 ERA
In Scherzer's two career games at Citizens Bank Park, he's struck out 15 hitters in 14.0 innings with a 1.93 ERA. Scherzer also pitched significantly better on the road last season than he did at home in terms of almost every statistic. Right-handed hitters should get a healthy helping of sliders to compliment Scherzer's fastball, while lefties should see mostly changeups mixed in with his fastballs.
The Braves got to Scherzer early in his last outing, putting up four runs in the first two innings before Scherzer settled in. In terms of ERA, Scherzer's strongest innings are innings three through seven, in each of which he boasts a sub-three average. The Phillies have found the most offensive success so far this season in the sixth inning.
Aaron Nola — Age: 22;
- Last Appearance: April 11, 2016, vs SDP: L, 7.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 9 SO
- Career vs. WAS: (0-0), 2 G, 10.0 IP, 15 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 13 SO, 3 HR, 5.40 ERA
Nola's relied heavily on his curveball so far this season. Curveballs have accounted for over 29% of his pitches, more than his four-seam fastball. More at-bats against Nola have ended with a curveball than any other pitch this season, but the opposition is hitting a mere .143 (3-21) against it.
Nola has done a good job in his first two starts staying down and away from hitters. However, most of the damage done to Jeremy Hellickson by the Nationals on Friday was done on pitches down in the zone. To avoid another offensive explosion from Washington, Nola may need to reconsider his approach.
Starting Lineups:
| Washington Nationals (8-1) | Philadelphia Phillies (5-6) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Michael Taylor | R | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | 3B | Anthony Rendon | R | 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 3 | RF | Bryce Harper | L | 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 4 | 1B | Ryan Zimmerman | R | 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L |
| 5 | 2B | Daniel Murphy | L | 5 | LF | Darin Ruf | R |
| 6 | LF | Jayson Werth | R | 6 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 7 | C | Wilson Ramos | R | 7 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 8 | SS | Danny Espinosa | S | 8 | RF | Cedric Hunter | L |
| 9 | P | Max Scherzer | R | 9 | P | Aaron Nola | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: TCN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Odubel Herrera leads the Major Leagues in pitches seen (237) and pitches per plate appearance (5.27). Herrera has walked 10 times in his 45 plate appearances. In 2015, it took Herrera 287 plate appearances to collect his tenth walk. He had just 28 walks all last season.
- Bryce Harper has at least two hits including a homerun in each of his last four games as a visitor at Citizens Bank Park. Prior to Harper, the most recent players to do so were Vladimir Guerrero (1999-2000) and Ripper Collins (1935).
- Aaron Nola's 14 innings without a walk is the sixth-longest such streak to begin a season in Phillies history. Cliff Lee started the 2013 season with 16.2 innings without a walk, but the team record is held by Ken Raffensberger (18 in 1944).
What's Next:
- Sunday, April 17, 2016: vs. Washington Nationals, 1:35 p.m.
- Philadelphia – Citizens Bank Park
- LHP Gio Gonzalez (0-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Charlie Morton (1-1, 5.23)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
