Washington Nationals Series Preview: Nationals Battle Division Foe Philadelphia Phillies
Apr 12, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher
Max Scherzer(31) throws the ball during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Nationals won 4-3 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
After an abysmal start to the season, the Washington Nationals hoped to gain some momentum last series against the Boston Red Sox, but ended up dropping two of three at Fenway. Now the Nationals head home and look to rebound and right the ship this season against their division rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Philadelphia Phillies are off to a 3-6 start this season. The Phillies opened at home to the Red Sox where they dropped two out of three. Facing similar offensive woes as the Nats, the Phillies could only manage a handful of runs. The Phillies continued their home stand against the Nats where they took two out of three. The Phillies didn’t exactly win these games as much as the Nats lost them with poor defensive efforts. Next, the Phillies started their first road trip against the New York Mets where they were swept.
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The Nationals are also off to a 3-6 start this year. The Nats have lost each of their three series to start the year. Most of the first nine games of the year have been marred with mistakes on the defensive end and low offensive output. The offense finally stepped it up the past two games, scoring 17 runs after only scoring 17 in the first seven games. The Nationals look to continue their offensive output against a Phillies team who is also off to a slow start.
Let’s take a look at the pitching matchups against Philadelphia and see who holds the advantage as the Nats hope to win a series and break out of this slump.
Next: Game 1: Hamels vs. Fister
Apr 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Cole Hamels(35) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
For the first of a four game set, it is a rematch of Doug Fister and Cole Hamels. Both were excellent in their first matchup. Hamels went seven innings, only giving up two hits and one run off a Wilson Ramos home run. Fister was his usual efficient self and went 6.1 innings with six hits and no runs. Both ended up with a no decision as the Phillies came back to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth and win it in the bottom of the tenth.
Hamels has one more start than Fister as he was the opening day starter for the Phillies against the Red Sox. Hamels only gave up five hits, but four of them were home runs. If you are keeping count at home, that is five home runs in two outings. The Phillies could not pull out of their Opening Day hole and Hamels took the loss in a 8-0 defeat.
Advantage: Draw
Hamels is the only legitimate ace left on the Phillies staff and is perpetually in trade discussions as the team continues to rebuild and restock their farm system. Fister, while he is the fifth starter, has been just as effective as Max Scherzer so far this year. Expect another pitcher’s duel into the sixth or seventh when the bullpens will decide the fate of this game.
Although the starting pitchers are very good, I expect the Nats to come out firing. I think the adjustments Matt Williams made to the lineup helped offensive production and the Nats at least score enough to help Fister get his first win of the season.
Next: Game 2: O'Sullivan vs. Scherzer
Apr 6, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws his first pitch as a National on Opening Day against New York Mets at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: H.Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports
In another no-decision, pitching-duel rematch, Max Scherzer for the Nationals takes on Sean O’Sullivan for the Phillies.
Scherzer has been as good as advertised so far for the Washington Nationals this season. In his opening day start, he took a no-hitter into the sixth inning before the defense let him down. He gave up two unearned runs and ended up taking the loss in a tough outing. In his next start against the Phillies, he went six innings giving up six hits and one – earned run. He came away with a no decision as the bullpen wasn’t able to hold the lead, but the Nats ended up winning in ten innings.
O’Sullivan’s only start was the same ten inning affair against Scherzer and the Nats. He was impressive over six innings as he gave up five hits and only two earned runs. It’s hard to out-duel Scherzer, but O’Sullivan was able to hold his own. While the Phillies eventually lost, they were able to at least tie the game to get O’Sullivan out of the loss.
Advantage: Scherzer
There are not going to be too many pitching match-ups where Max Scherzer is not favored. As well he should be, he is the ace of the staff and always a legitimate Cy Young candidate. O’Sullivan put up a respectable fight last time against the Nationals, but his success was due in part to the Nats ice cold bats. His career ERA is 5.84 and I expect him to perform more like his career numbers against a more healthy and, hopefully, rejuvenated Nationals’ lineup. I would expect a decent start by O’Sullivan, but Scherzer will continue to dominate and give the Nats the lead heading into the later innings where anything can happen.
Next: Game 3: Harang vs. Zimmermann
Apr 13, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
For Saturday’s matchup, the Nationals start Jordan Zimmermann and the Phillies trot out Aaron Harang.
Zimmermann could not have had two different starts so far this season. His first start was excellent. He went six innings, giving up only five hits and one run, to earn his first win against the Mets. His next outing against the Red Sox was awful. He couldn’t make it through three innings giving up nine hits and eight runs, seven of them earned, before his night was over. The defense behind him was a bit rough, but he was hit, and hit often, leading to his first loss.
Aaron Harang has had a solid start to this season for the Phillies. He went 6.1 innings with only two hits allowed against the Red Sox in his first start to earn the win. His next start was equally impressive, going six innings while giving up his lone earned run of the season against the Mets. While those numbers are nothing to scoff at, Harang is 36-year-old journey man with a career ERA of 4.19. He is a solid, not spectacular, back of the rotation starter.
Advantage: Zimmermann
Again, Zimmermann is going to be in the same boat as Scherzer where Zim will not find many matchups where he is not the favorite. As the second legitimate Cy Young candidate on the Nationals’ staff, Zimmermann should pitch more like his first start than his second and give the Nats a good chance to win each and every time out. I expect Zimmermann to shake off his last start and earn his second win of the year against the Phillies.
Next: Game 4: Strasburg vs. Buchanan
Apr 14, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
For the series finale on Sunday, the Nationals will start Stephen Strasburg against David Buchanan for the Phillies.
Strasburg has had a rough first few outings. His last outing against the Red Sox on Tuesday was underwhelming. After going 5.1 innings and giving up five runs, the bullpen was unable to deliver his first win and the Nats lost 8-7, giving Stras a no decision. His first start against the Mets wasn’t much better, going 5.1 innings while allowing six runs, but only three of them were earned.
David Buchanan started the year out at triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2014. The Phillies would call him up later in the year to fill out the rotation after Cliff Lee‘s injury. He only has a handful of games under his belt and is 0-2 to start the season this year. In his first start against Boston, Buchanan was only able to go three innings while allowing six earned runs on seven hits. His next outing wasn’t much better as he went 5.2 innings giving up five runs on nine hits in a loss to the Mets.
Advantage: Strasburg
As much as Strasburg doesn’t deserve to be favored in this matchup, it is hard to not go with him against a pitcher like Buchanan. Buchanan still seems like he needs to get his sea legs under him at the major league level and he is a typical fifth starter for a team in full rebuild mode. Strasburg does needs to step it up a bit and keep his head about him during the course of the game. Do not be surprised if this game is closer than the match-up may suggest. The Phillies squeak out a win to avoid the series sweep.