Sean O'Sullivan was the heavy underdog last night. Facing Nationals starter Max Scherzer, who has been near dominant in 2015, the Phillies did not seem to have a chance. Yet, O'Sullivan allowed just two earned runs in his six innings of work. Unfortunately for O'Sullivan, the Phillies managed just one run and fell to the Nationals 2-1. Today the Phillies hope to score against the struggling Stephen Strasburg as ace Cole Hamels takes the mound.
Starting Pitching Match-up:
| Philadelphia Phillies (18-26) | Washington Nationals (25-17) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Cole Hamels | RHP | Stephen Strasburg | ||
| 4-3, 3.24 ERA | 3-4, 5.98 ERA | ||||
Cole Hamels takes the mound in a day game once again. Known for better pitching performances at night, Hamels has been bad once again during the day in 2015. In two day games to this point, Hamels is 0-2 with an 8.18 earned run average. At night, Hamels is 4-1 with a 2.09 earned run average. But maybe Hamels' luck will be better against struggling Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg.
Strasburg has been perhaps the most-hyped starter in the major leagues over the last several years. The right-handed flamethrower has really struggled in 2015. After eight starts, Strasburg is 3-4 with a 5.98 earned run average. However, Strasburg has fared much better at home, going 1-2 with a 3.45 earned run average. Strasburg is on his home turf this afternoon.
Starting Lineups:
|
Philadelphia Phillies (18-26) |
Washington Nationals (25-17) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | LF | Ben Revere | L | 1 | CF | Denard Span | L |
| 2 | SS | Cesar Hernandez | S | 2 | SS | Ian Desmond | R |
| 3 | 2B | Chase Utley | L | 3 | 3B | Yunel Escobar | R |
| 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L | 4 | RF | Bryce Harper | L |
| 5 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 5 | 1B | Ryan Zimmerman | R |
| 6 | RF | Grady Sizemore | L | 6 | C | Wilson Ramos | R |
| 7 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 7 | 2B | Dan Uggla | R |
| 8 | C | Carlos Ruiz | R | 8 | LF | Michael Taylor | R |
| 9 | P | Cole Hamels | R | 9 | P | Stephen Strasburg | R |
Game Notes:
- In the last seven days, Chase Utley is batting .476 with four doubles, a triple, and three RBI.
- In the last seven days, Ryan Howard is batting .370 with three doubles, two home runs, and four RBI.
- Cesar Hernandez turns 25 years old today. He is in the lineup at shortstop.
- Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Phillies reliever Ken Giles is just fine after cutting his finger during yesterday's game. "There was blood coming all the way down".
- Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg has pitched just 11 innings total in his three starts in May.
- Bryce Harper is slugging 1.000 in May. Only three other players in MLB history have managed to complete May with a 1.000 slugging percentage: Barry Bonds in 2001, Todd Helton in 2000, and Babe Ruth in 1928.
Broadcast Information:
Gametime: 4:05pm EST
Location: Nationals Park, Washington, DC
Weather: 74 degrees, clear skies
TV: The Comcast Network
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, SBP 1480 (Sp.)
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