Roy Halladay, Phillies Take On Jordan Zimmermann, Washington Nationals

Tonight the Phillies look to rebound from last night's excruciating loss in which Phillies pitchers walked nine batters and gave up nine runs.  Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins return to the lineup after a night off and Cesar Hernandez will make another start in center field.  If Hernandez's bat comes together as it did in the minor leagues, he may put pressure on Ben Revere.  Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg is giving Hernandez the chance to lead off for the Phillies and play center once again, so Hernandez has every opportunity to show the Phillies that he belongs there.

After a rough start in Wrigley, Roy Halladay looks to rebound.  Traditionally struggling in hot games, Halladay pitched in 95 degree weather during the day at Chicago's Wrigley Field.  The Phillies pulled out a comeback victory, but Halladay gave up five earned runs in five innings pitched.  Halladay, however, was only his second start into a premature comeback to the Phillies' rotation.

Zordan Zimmermann has been the Nationals' best starter in 2013.  Zimmermann is 15-8 with a 3.33 ERA heading into tonight's contest.   Since the All-Star break, however, Zimmermann is 3-4 with a 5.48 ERA, hardly dominant.  In his last outing, Zimmermann pitched fairly well, going seven and two-thirds innings, giving up three earned runs against the New York Mets.  Zimmermann has traditionally pitched stronger at home than on the road.

Game Notes:

• Cesar Hernandez makes his second career start in center field tonight after starting last night at second base in place of Chase Utley
• The Inquirer's Matt Gelb points out that 11 of last night's 18 Phillies used spent time at AAA Lehigh Valley this year
• Cody Asche is off to a hot start so far this month, hitting .375 thus far.
• Bryce Harper has the night off.

Phillies Lineup:

1. Cesar Hernandez CF 
2. Jimmy Rollins SS 
3. Chase Utley 2B 
4. Carlos Ruiz C 
5. Darin Ruf 1B 
6. Cody Asche 3B 
7. John Mayberry LF 
8. Roger Bernadina RF 
9. Roy Halladay P

Nationals Lineup:

1. Denard Span CF 
2. Ryan Zimmerman 3B 
3. Jayson Werth RF 
4. Ian Desmond SS 
5. Adam LaRoche 1B 
6. Wil Ramos C 
7. Corey Brown LF
8. Steve Lombardozzi 2B 
9. Jordan Zimmermann P

TV: CSN
Radio: 94 WIP; 1210 WPHT