The Philadelphia Phillies will look to make it three in a row as they open a three game series with the Washington Nationals tonight at Citizens Bank Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.
After losing both games of doubleheader Friday night to the Chicago Cubs, the Phillies managed to win both games during the weekend to split the four game series. They will look for their first three game winning streak since a three game sweep of the Marlins back in August.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Washington Nationals(72-70) | Philadelphia Phillies (56-88) |
|---|
| RHP | Jordan Zimmerman | RHP |
Aaron Nola |
||
| (12-8, 3.32 ERA) | (6-2, 3.56 ERA) | ||||
Aaron Nola will get the ball for the Phillies. In his last start, the rookie bounced back in a big way from a poor outing on September 2nd going seven scoreless innings in 5-0 Phillies win. He struck out seven while walking just one.
Nola has pitched at least five innings in all but one start. He has gone at least seven innings in three of his last four starts. This will be his start against Washington.
Jordan Zimmerman will get the start for Washington. Zimmerman is 4-0 in his last five starts and has allowed just one run in each of his last three outings.
He is 0-1 against Philadelphia this season. Zimmerman has had some success in Philadelphia throughout his career. He has allowed three runs or less in four of six starts at Citizens Bank Park.
Starting Lineups:
| Washington Nationals (72-70) | Philadelphia Phillies (56-88) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | TBD | 1 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | ||
| 2 | TBD | 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | ||
| 3 | TBD |
3 |
RF | Brian Bogusevic | L | ||
| 4 | TBD | 4 | LF | Aaron Altherr | R | ||
| 5 | TBD | 5 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L | ||
| 6 | TBD | 6 | 2B | Darnell Sweeney | S | ||
| 7 | TBD | 7 | 3B | Cody Asche | L | ||
| 8 | TBD | 8 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | ||
| 9 | TBD | 9 | P | Aaron Nola | R | ||
Game Notes:
- Jonathan Papelbon makes his return to Philadelphia tonight after spending the last three plus seasons here. He is the all-time saves leader in franchise history
- Since trading Papelbon, Ken Giles is 1-0 with a 0.47 ERA and 13 saves as the new closer.
- Ryan Howard hit his team leading 22nd home run in yesterday's win. He has now hit safely ineach of the last three games since going hitless in the prior eight.
- Second baseman Cesar Hernandez dislocated his thumb yesterday and likely done for the year. He was hitting .272 in 127 games as the everyday second baseman this season.
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch:7:05 pm EST
- TV: CSN Philly
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, SBP 1480 (Sp.)
What's Next:
Tuesday September 15, 2015: vs. Washington Nationals, 7:05pm
RHP Stephen Strasburg (8-7, 4.30 ERA) vs. RHP David Buchanan (2-8, 9.11 ERA)
Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Philliedelphia. Follow Bill on Twitter @wtfd103074
