Rematch: Nola, Scherzer Face Off Again as Phillies Look to Even Series

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Once again, the Philadelphia Phillies (70-61) will look for RHP Aaron Nola to help the club rebound from a tough loss, as they take on RHP Max Scherzer and the Washington Nationals (66-66) in the second of a three-game set Tuesday evening at Citizens Bank Park. Cy Young Award candidates Nola and Scherzer last faced off on Thursday, with Nola prevailing thanks to an eight-scoreless-inning effort and Odubel Herrera's two-run home run in the seventh.

Jose Bautista will report for tonight’s game. To make room on the 25-man roster, Andrew Knapp was optioned to Lehigh Valley (AAA).

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) August 28, 2018

The Phillies were not able to best RHP Stephen Strasburg in a second straight start, falling 5-3 to the Nationals during Monday's six-game homestand and three-game series opener. With the game tied at two in the fourth, Zach Eflin's throwing error towards home resulted in two unearned runs to score unnecessarily in the inning. The Phillies were not able to put together a comeback, despite Rhys Hoskins' solo home run in the eighth, his team-leading 27th.

The Phillies are 12-0 in games started by Nola at Citizens Bank Park this season. The Phillies have won 17 of their last 25 games at home since June 27, and overall have posted a .641 winning percentage at the venue, the highest among National League clubs.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Washington Nationals (66-66)			Philadelphia Phillies (70-61)
RHP	Max Scherzer		RHP	Aaron Nola
RHP	(16-6, 2.13 ERA)		RHP	(15-3, 2.13 ERA)

RHP Max Scherzer, Age: 34

2018 vs. PHI: 0-1, 2.03 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 13 1/3 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, HR, 6 BB, 25 SO, 0.975 WHIP
Career vs. PHI: 9-2, 2.51 ERA, 16 G, 16 GS, 107 2/3 IP, 78 H, 30 R, 30 ER, 7 HR, 25 BB, 133 SO, 0.957 WHIP
Career at Citizens Bank Park: 5-0, 2.06 ERA, 6 G, 6 GS, 43 2/3 IP, 28 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 4 HR, 8 BB, 51 SO, 0.824 WHIP

Scherzer's four walks allowed against the Phillies were the most the right-hander has surrendered this season. The right-hander last yielded four or more base on balls on Sept. 13 of last season, home against the Atlanta Braves (6) in an 8-2 Nationals defeat. The Nationals have lost three of Scherzer's last four starts, despite him posting a 1.00 ERA and .152/.212/.228 opposing slash over that stretch.

RHP Aaron Nola, Age: 25

2018 vs. WSN: 3-0, 1.25 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 21 2/3 IP, 14 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 HR, 6 BB, 22 SO, 0.923 WHIP
Career vs. WSN: 4-4, 3.57 ERA, 13 G, 13 GS, 75 2/3 IP, 75 H, 31 R, 30 ER, 7 HR, 19 BB, 87 SO, 1.242 WHIP
Career at Citizens Bank Park: 23-12, 3.06 ERA, 41 G, 41 GS, 261 2/3 IP, 220 H, 95 R, 89 ER, 31 HR, 65 BB, 298 SO, 1.089 WHIP

Nola has been masterful for the Phillies in August, posting a 3-0 record, 1.00 ERA, 27-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio and .194/.259/.265 opposing slash with just one home run allowed spanning 27 frames. The right-hander is a perfect 3-0 in three starts against the Nationals this season, allowing only three runs through 21 2/3 innings.

Starting Lineups:

Washington Nationals (66-66)				Philadelphia Phillies (70-61)
	Position	Player	Bats		Position	Player	Bats
1	RF	Adam Eaton	L	1	2B	Cesar Hernandez	S
2	SS	Trea Turner	R	2	LF	Rhys Hoskins	R
3	CF	Bryce Harper	L	3	3B	Asdrubal Cabrera	S
4	3B	Anthony Rendon	R	4	CF	Odubel Herrera	L
5	LF	Juan Soto	L	5	1B	Carlos Santana	S
6	1B	Ryan Zimmerman	R	6	RF	Nick Williams	L
7	C	Matt Wieters	S	7	SS	Scott Kingery	R
8	2B	Wilmer Difo	S	8	C	Jorge Alfaro	R
9	P	Max Scherzer	R	9	P	Aaron Nola	R

Broadcast Information:

First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
TV: NBCSP, MLBN
Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

The Colorado Rockies falling 10-7 to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Monday kept the Phillies within one game of them for third place in the Wild Card race. Otherwise, the Phillies overall moved a half game back in both the division (3 1/2) and overall Wild Card (2 1/2) with 31 games to go.
- Tuesday's Postseason Race Matchups:
  - Milwaukee Brewers (RHP Junior Guerra) at Cincinnati Reds (RHP Anthony DeSclafani), 7:10 p.m.
  - Tampa Bay Rays (RHP Ryne Stanek) at Atlanta Braves (RHP Julio Teheran), 7:35 p.m.
  - Los Angeles Dodgers (RHP Walker Buehler) at Texas Rangers (RHP Ariel Jurado), 8:05 p.m.
  - New York Mets (RHP Jacob deGrom) at Chicago Cubs (LHP Cole Hamels), 8:05 p.m.
  - Pittsburgh Pirates (RHP Ivan Nova) at St. Louis Cardinals (RHP Jack Flaherty), 8:15 p.m.
  - Colorado Rockies (LHP Kyle Freeland) at Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (RHP Noe Ramirez), 10:07 p.m.
  - Arizona Diamondbacks (RHP Clay Buchholz) at San Francisco Giants (LHP Madison Bumgarner), 10:15 p.m.
Outfielder Roman Quinn extended his hitting streak to six games on Monday with a RBI triple against Strasburg. Since August 19, Quinn has produced a .500/.524/.800 slash with eight singles, one double, one triple, one home run, five RBI, one walk and four strikeouts spanning 21 plate appearances. The Phillies have not won a game during Quinn's streak.
Herrera has three extra-base hits — two doubles and one home run — in six plate appearances opposite Scherzer this season. Hoskins, meanwhile is 0-6 with five strikeouts opposite the right-hander in 2018 (click to expand).