By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies (70-60) and right-hander Zach Eflin will open a six-game homestand against RHP Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals (65-66) Monday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
Sunday Recap: Phillies Belt 4 Homers, Salvage Finale Against Toronto
The Nationals ended their 32-inning scoreless drought — during which they batted .181 with four doubles and a .435 OPS — with a 15-0 rout of the New York Mets on Sunday. Wilmer Difo, Adam Eaton and Mark Reynolds all homered during the Nationals' eight-run eighth and six-run ninth innings outburst.
The Gabe Kapler-led Phillies have 10 series — and 32 games — remaining this season, eight of which will be against National League East opponents. One of the two remaining non-division series will occur in the latter half of the homestand, August 31 to Sept. 2 against the Chicago Cubs. Former Phillies World Series champion southpaw Cole Hamels is slated to start in Sunday's matinee finale opposite Eflin.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Washington Nationals (65-66) | Philadelphia Phillies (70-60) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Stephen Strasburg | RHP | Zach Eflin | ||
| (6-7, 4.23 ERA | (9-4, 3.93 ERA) | ||||
RHP Stephen Strasburg, Age: 30
- 2018 vs. PHI: 0-0, 11.25 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 4 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 HR, BB, 5 SO, 2.000 WHIP
- Career vs. PHI: 10-2, 2.48 ERA, 22 G, 22 GS, 141 2/3 IP, 100 H, 46 R, 39 ER, 12 HR, 27 BB, 174 SO, 0.896 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 3-0, 1.45 ERA, 8 G, 8 GS, 49 2/3 IP, 32 H, 12 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 14 BB, 66 SO, 0.926 WHIP
Over his last three starts and 10 2/3 innings since June 8, Strasburg has surrendered 20 hits, 14 runs, three walks and three home runs while striking out 13 batters. The right-hander tossed a no-decision in his return from the disabled list against the Phillies on August 22, allowing five runs and two home runs through four frames.
RHP Zach Eflin, Age: 24
- 2018 vs. WSN: 1-0, 6.48 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 8 1/3 IP, 16 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 7 SO, 2.280 WHIP
- Career vs. WSN: 1-0, 6.48 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 8 1/3 IP, 16 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 7 SO, 2.280 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 7-6, 4.69 ERA, 17 G, 17 GS, 103 2/3 IP, 100 H, 55 R, 54 ER, 22 HR, 23 BB, 84 SO, 1.186 WHIP
Eflin has either won or received a no-decision in six straight starts at Citizens Bank Park since June 10, with at least six innings pitched and five strikeouts in five of the contests. The right-hander has a 4.69 ERA and 1.186 WHIP spanning 17 career starts at the venue.
Starting Lineups:
| Washington Nationals (65-66) | Philadelphia Phillies (70-60) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | RF | Adam Eaton | L | 1 | CF | Roman Quinn | S |
| 2 | SS | Trea Turner | R | 2 | LF | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 3 | CF | Bryce Harper | L | 3 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 4 | 3B | Anthony Rendon | R | 4 | C | Wilson Ramos | R |
| 5 | LF | Juan Soto | L | 5 | SS | Asdrubal Cabrera | S |
| 6 | 1B | Ryan Zimmerman | R | 6 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S |
| 7 | C | Matt Wieters | S | 7 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 8 | 2B | Wilmer Difo | S | 8 | RF | Nick Williams | L |
| 9 | P | Stephen Strasburg | R | 9 | P | Zach Eflin | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The division and Wild Card-leading Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers are all off on Monday, before beginning series Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds, respectively.
- Monday's Postseason Race Matchups:
- New York Mets (RHP Noah Syndergaard) at Chicago Cubs (LHP Jon Lester), 8:05 p.m.
- Colorado Rockies (RHP Jon Gray) at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (RHP Odrisamer Despaigne), 10:07 p.m.
- Arizona Diamondbacks (LHP Patrick Corbin) at San Francisco Giants (RHP Chris Stratton), 10:15 p.m.
- Monday's Postseason Race Matchups:
- Infielders Maikel Franco and Asdrubal Cabrera each have a pair of home runs and walks in their careers against Strasburg. Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is 4-6 lifetime against Eflin with two doubles, one RBI and one strikeout (click to expand).
- The Phillies have lost six of seven — and six straight — of their series openers this month, outscored 47-18 in those contests.
- The Phillies and Nationals have split their four series this season, with the Phillies winning seven of their 13 overall meetings. The club has won five of their last six home games against the Nationals, dating back to Sept. 26 of last season.
What's Next:
Tuesday, August 28, 2018: vs. Washington Nationals, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Max Scherzer (16-6, 2.13 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (15-3, 2.13 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP, MLBN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
