Philadelphia, PA – Tuesday evening at Citizens Bank Park, the Philadelphia Phillies (56-89) will oppose six-year veteran RHP Stephen Strasburg and the division-rival Washington Nationals (73-70) in the second meeting of a three-game set.
Having lost 40 games at home this season, a loss tonight would ensure the Phillies of their third losing season at home over the last four years. They had a streak of 11 consecutive winning seasons at Veterans Stadium, and later Citizens Bank Park, from 2001 to 2011.
Last night, a RBI groundout by third baseman Yunel Escobar in the top of the 11th inning secured former Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon and the Nationals the series opener victory.
The Matt Williams-led Nationals are currently 9.5 games out of both the National League East and Wild Card, with 19 left to play.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Washington Nationals (73-70) | Philadelphia Phillies (56-89) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Stephen Strasburg | RHP | David Buchanan | ||
| (8-7, 4.30 ERA) | (2-8, 9.11 ERA) | ||||
Strasburg, 27, will be making his second start since experiencing discomfort in his upper back on August 30.
Strasburg left with discomfort in upper back, similar to trouble he had earlier this season. Describes it as knot that acts up sometimes.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) August 30, 2015
The 2012 National League All-Star had nine days of rest before retaking the mound last Wednesday against the Mets, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk over 7 1/3 innings.
Overall this season, spanning 19 starts and 98 1/3 innings, Strasburg has allowed 99 hits, 53 runs (47 earned), 22 walks and 13 home runs.
The former first overall pick in the 2009 amateur draft is 1-0 with a 1.55 ERA and 0.931 WHIP ratio in five career starts at Citizens Bank Park.
Strasburg's most recent Philadelphia appearance came in the doubleheader opener on June 28 of this season, as the Nationals went on to defeat RHP Kevin Correia and the Phillies, 3-2.
Buchanan, 26, made his return to the Phillies' rotation last Wednesday as the team seeks to limit innings of their young staff through using a six-man rotation.
The right hander was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on August 12 after surrendering 11 runs on 11 hits and two walks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Buchanan recorded just five outs.
In two career starts against the Nationals, Buchanan is 0-2 with a 8.18 ERA and a 1.909 WHIP ratio.
Starting Lineups:
| Washington Nationals (73-70) | Philadelphia Phillies (56-89) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Anthony Rendon | R | 1 | LF | Darnell Sweeney | S |
| 2 | 3B | Yunel Escobar | R | 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 3 | RF | Bryce Harper | L | 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 4 | LF | Jayson Werth | R | 4 | 2B | Andres Blanco | S |
| 5 | 1B | Clint Robinson | L | 5 | 3B | Cody Asche | L |
| 6 | SS | Ian Desmond | R | 6 | 1B | Darin Ruf | R |
| 7 | C | Wilson Ramos | R | 7 | RF | Brian Bogusevic | L |
| 8 | CF | Michael Taylor | R | 8 | C | Carlos Ruiz | R |
| 9 | P | Stephen Strasburg | R | 9 | P | David Buchanan | R |
Aaron Altherr (forearm) and Ryan Howard (knee) are both out, having left last night's game with contusions.
Game Notes:
- The Phillies have lost four of their last five games against the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park, despite being nearly even in runs scored (22 PHI, 25 WSN) and hits (46 PHI, 52 WSN).
- Infielder Chase d'Arnaud made his Phillies debut last evening as a pinch hitter, and struck out in the bottom of the fifth inning against Nationals' starter RHP Jordan Zimmermann. Dating back to 2012, d'Arnaud is hitless in his last 17 major league at-bats.
- Four current Phillies have homered off of Strasburg in their careers: catcher Carlos Ruiz (5/4/12), outfielder Jeff Francoeur (6/28/15), third baseman Maikel Franco (5/23/15), and outfielder Brian Bogusevic (8/22/13).
Broadcast Information:
- First-pitch: 7:05 pm EST
- TV: CSN
- Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
What's Next:
- Wednesday, September 16, 2015: vs. Washington Nationals, 7:05 pm
- LHP Gio Gonzalez (10-7, 3.88 ERA) vs. RHP Alec Asher (0-3, 10.67 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
