By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The first-place Philadelphia Phillies (6-2) will look to continue their early momentum as RHP Vince Velasquez makes his first start — opposite RHP Anibal Sanchez and the Washington Nationals (4-4) — in Monday's three-game series opener at Citizens Bank Park.
Monday's game will be the Phillies' sixth of 21 games — in a 28-game, season-opening stretch — that they face a National League East opponent. The Phillies took four of their first five against the Atlanta Braves and Nationals, falling only on Wednesday, 9-8, when reliever David Robertson gave up a walk-off walk in the ninth. Sanchez started that game opposite Phillies RHP Aaron Nola, who gave up six runs and three home runs in just three innings.
Second baseman Scott Kingery will make his first start of 2019 at second base, in place of the struggling Cesar Hernandez. After Sunday's 2-1 win, Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler had said that giving Kingery a start was "under consideration," given Hernandez "has not gotten off to his best start." Kingery is hitless through five plate appearances this season; he has played just 3 1/3 innings in the field with one putout, all at second base.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Washington Nationals (4-4) | Philadelphia Phillies (6-2) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Anibal Sanchez | RHP | Vince Velasquez | ||
| (0-0, 9.00 ERA) | (0-0, 0.00 ERA) | ||||
RHP Anibal Sanchez, Age: 35
- Career vs. PHI: 5-9, 4.66 ERA, 21 G, 21 GS, 114 IP, 110 H, 66 R, 59 ER, 12 HR, 58 BB, 97 SO, 1.474 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 2-6, 5.60 ERA, 12 G, 12 GS, 64 1/3 IP, 66 H, 41 R, 40 ER, 6 HR, 36 BB, 48 SO, 1.585 WHIP
Sanchez will make his fourth straight start against the Phillies dating back to Sept. 23 (win) and Sept. 29 (no-decision) of last season, while with the Braves.
In his 2019 and Nationals debut against the Phillies on Wednesday (no-decision), the veteran allowed four runs on as many hits and walks, while punching out three spanning four innings of work. Phillies shortstop Jean Segura, first baseman Rhys Hoskins (RBI), and pinch-hitter Nick Williams (RBI) all singled off Sanchez, while Hernandez doubled (RBI). Left fielder Andrew McCutchen (twice) was the only position player to strike out. Right fielder Bryce Harper walked twice, while center fielder Odubel Herrera and catcher J.T. Realmuto each walked once.
Sanchez's outing was shortened after he took a line drive off his hip by a McCutchen comebacker, which left a bruise.
RHP Vince Velasquez, Age: 26
- Career vs. WSH: 2-2, 4.76 ERA, 8 G, 7 GS, 34 IP, 29 H, 19 R, 18 ER, 5 HR, 15 BB, 39 SO, 1.294 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 11-13, 4.60 ERA, 35 G, 34 GS, 172 1/3 IP, 152 H, 93 R, 88 ER, 32 HR, 66 BB, 214 SO, 1.265 WHIP
After making a road relief appearance on Tuesday against the Nationals for his season debut — just his second appearance out of the bullpen since 2016 — Velasquez will make his 70th career start in red pinstripes and his first of 2019 on Monday. The right-hander tossed a scoreless, 1-2-3 ninth to cap off the Phillies' 8-2 win, striking out two batters in the process — second baseman Brian Dozier and catcher Yan Gomes.
Starting Lineups:
| Washington Nationals (4-4) | Philadelphia Phillies (6-2) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | RF | Adam Eaton | L | 1 | LF | Andrew McCutchen | R |
| 2 | 2B | Brian Dozier | R | 2 | SS | Jean Segura | R |
| 3 | 3B | Anthony Rendon | R | 3 | RF | Bryce Harper | L |
| 4 | LF | Juan Soto | L | 4 | 1B | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 5 | 1B | Ryan Zimmerman | R | 5 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R |
| 6 | C | Kurt Suzuki | R | 6 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 7 | SS | Wilmer Difo | S | 7 | 2B | Scott Kingery | R |
| 8 | P | Anibal Sanchez | R | 8 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 9 | CF | Victor Robles | R | 9 | P | Vince Velasquez | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Entering Monday's action, the Phillies had the fourth-best record in baseball, and the third-best record in the National League.
Bryce Harper is DESTROYING baseballs in BP #PhillyLoaded #Phillies pic.twitter.com/n1oSPDTh1s
— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) April 8, 2019
- The Phillies have shifted the fourth fewest per plate appearance in MLB this season, compared to the 10th-most in 2018, The Athletic's Meghan Montemurro notes.
- In each category, the Phillies are slashing a MLB-best .361/.541/.753 when they begin a count 1-0, NBC Sports Philadelphia's Corey Seidman notes.
- Hoskins is seeing a MLB-best 5.14 pitches per at-bat, and has the second-most RBI (13) in the National League, NBC Sports Philadelphia's John Clark notes. Since his MLB debut on August 10, 2017, he and Mike Trout are the only two MLB players with at least 130 walks and 50 home runs, SportsRadio 94 WIP's Joe Giglio notes.
- When leading off an inning this season, McCutchen is slashing .300/.391/.650 with one double, two solo home runs, three walks and six strikeouts spanning 23 plate appearances and 20 at-bats. McCutchen is 4-22 lifetime against Sanchez with four RBI, one walk and 10 strikeouts.
What's Next:
- Tuesday, April 9, 2019: vs. Washington Nationals, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Stephen Strasburg (1-0, 2.84 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (1-0, 7.00 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP+; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
