Philadelphia Phillies (25-31) at Washington Nationals (24-32): Game 57 Preview

The Philadelphia Phillies limp into the District of Columbia to take on the Washington Nationals in a battle for the bottom of the National League East.  

The Phillies enter the three-game series fresh off a demoralizing three-game sweep by the hated New York Mets.  The Mets outscored the Phillies 10-3 in the three-games including a shutout in game one of the series where the Phillies failed to have a runner reach second base.  

The last place Nationals lost two-of-three games to the Los Angeles Dodgers in LA.  The Nationals have actually been playing better over the past ten games posting a .500 record in that span.  

The Phillies will call on Zack Wheeler to break the latest four-game losing streak.  Wheeler was stellar in his last outing throwing eight scoreless innings and striking out twelve in Atlanta.  The Phils ace may have to do it on his own, the Fightins’ offense has been struggling over the past 30-days batting a meager .237 with 209 strikeouts.  

Washington will counter with 25-year-old Josiah Gray.  Gray is 4-5 on the season with a 2.77 ERA but has only pitched beyond the sixth inning twice this year.  The righty is averaging an incredible 4.5 BB/9 on the season and walked six two starts ago against Detroit.   

First pitch is set for 7:05 PM from Nationals Park in Washington, DC.  

When: Friday, June 2

Where: Nationals Park, Washington, DC

First Pitch: 7:05 PM/EDT

Broadcast: SportsRadio 94 WIP and the Phillies Radio Network with Scott Franzke and Kevin Stocker

Telecast: NBC10-WCAU with Tom McCarthy on play-by-play

Pitching Matchup

PHI: Zack Wheeler (4-4, 3.60 ERA) | Last Outing: Win, 5/27 at ATL- 8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 12 K
WSH: Josiah Gray (4-5, 2.77 ERA) | Last Outing: No Decision, 5/27 at KCR- 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HR

Now Batting

Stats for Youse!

• Kyle Schwarber has faced Josiah Gray the most, 12 plate appearances. Schwarber is 4-for-10 with 2 HRs, 2B, 2 RBI, and 2 BB.
• Trea Turner has the best average of Phillies regulars against Gray. Turner is 3-for-5 with a HR, 2B, and 2 RBI.
• In addition to Schwarber and Turner, the following Phillies have Josiah Gray in their homerun book: Bryce Harper (1), J.T. Realmuto (1), Nick Castellanos (1), and Brandon Marsh (1).
• Speaking of Turner and Harper, the duo will be facing their former ballclub.
  • Harper’s career slash line against the Nats is .306/.451/.570 with 13 HRs and 32 RBIs in 54-games.
  • Turner has faced the Nats six times since being traded from DC and is hitting .348 with a homer, 5 RBI, and 3 2Bs against his former team.
• Zack Wheeler has dominated Washington in his last five outing against the Nats. Wheeler is 4-1 with a 3.34 ERA with 24 Ks in 32.1 innings.
• Wheeler is 7-4 with a 3.95 ERA in 14-starts at Nationals Park.
• The Nationals enter the game 16-20 this season against right handers and 5-8 against the NL East.