Washington Nationals vs. Phillies Series Preview (9/8-9/11)

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Aug 31, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) hits a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

This weekend, the Washington Nationals host the Philadelphia Phillies for a four game series

This week, the Washington Nationals (82-57) started off their ten game homestand with a sweep of the Atlanta Braves. Anthony Rendon had a grand slam and five RBI’s in two games and Wilson Ramos had the walk-off single in last night’s 11-inning win, just to name a couple of positive highlights.

But, the one major negative storyline from this series is the health status of Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg left last night’s game in the third inning with an elbow injury. This is the latest on Strasburg’s injury:

#Nats trainer Paul Lessard says Strasburg has strained flexor mass, "the ligament is good." Rest, rehab comes next. No immediate timetable.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) September 8, 2016

Right now, the Nats have a 8.5 game lead over the Mets in the NL East and their magic number to clinch the division is 15 games. Tonight, they continue their homestand when they begin a four game series against the Philadelphia Phillies (62-77).

So far this season, the Nats are 11-4 against the Phillies and they have won nine consecutive games. On offense, they have four players who have eight or more RBI’s against the Phillies this season. This includes Jayson Werth (three home runs, 11 RBI’s) and Bryce Harper (three home runs, nine RBI’s).

Since that last series with the Nats (August 29-31), the Phillies went 2-4 in six games. They were swept in a weekend series with the Braves and they won two out of three on the road against the Marlins.

During the month of August, the Phillies scored the third fewest runs of any team in the National League (112). Aaron Altherr led the team in RBI’s (16), but one player to keep an eye on is shortstop Freddy Galvis. Galvis, who had six home runs and 15 RBI’s in August, has two home runs against the Nats this year.

On the mound, Philadelphia had the second highest team ERA in the NL (5.50). None of their starters had an ERA lower than four with Jeremy Hellickson leading the team in ERA (4.37). As for the bullpen, Jeanmar Gomez has eight saves in his last nine chances and Hector Neris had an ERA of 0.61 in August.

Before the series starts tonight, check out my breakdown of the four pitching matchups to see who has the edge:

Next: Tonight's Matchup

Sep 2, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher A.J. Cole (22) delivers a pitch against the New York Mets in the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Alec Asher (2016 Debut) vs. A.J. Cole (1-1, 3.86 ERA) – 7:05 p.m ET, broadcast on MASN2

Asher will be making in his first start of the 2016 season tonight. Asher was suspended 80 games in June for PED’s. The 24-year-old was one of the pitchers acquired by the Phillies from the Rangers in July 2015 as part of the Cole Hamels deal.

Last season, Asher made seven starts for the Phillies and went 0-6 with a 9.31 ERA. One of those starts came against the Washington Nationals on September 16. He went five innings, gave up four runs on seven hits, struck out four, and walked one in the loss. Daniel Murphy and Jayson Werth each have a home run against him.

Cole will be pitching on extended rest tonight after Stephen Strasburg pitched in his normal spot last night. Against the Mets on September 2, Cole went six innings, gave up one run on three hits, struck out five, and walked two on 98 pitches in his first Major League win.

In three starts, Cole has given up a home run in each of those games. But, the one thing I like about him is his resiliency after he gives up the home run. For example, in the fourth inning on Friday, the Mets got two players on base after the solo home run by Asdrubal Cabrera. But, Cole retired the next two hitters to get out of trouble and keep the Nats in front.

While Cole has never started against the Phillies, he has one relief appearance. That came on May 23, 2015 when he went 4.1 innings, gave up two runs on four hits, and struck out seven. Ryan Howard does have a solo home run against him.

Prediction: It will be interesting to see how Cole does on extra rest, but I think he will find a way to pitch well. I like the Washington Nationals to win this game because Asher hasn’t pitched in a game since June and he hasn’t shown the ability to strike out many hitters in his brief time in the Major Leagues (16 K’s last season).

Next: Tomorrow's Matchup

Sep 3, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark (57) delivers a pitch against the New York Mets during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

Jake Thompson (1-5, 6.48) vs. Tanner Roark (14-8, 2.89) – 7:05 p.m, MASN

Thompson’s losing streak reached four games after his last start against the Braves. On September 4, he went seven innings, gave up one run on four hits, struck out six, and walked four on 100 pitches in the loss.

Despite losing four games in a row, the 24-year-old right-hander has gone seven innings in each of his last two starts. But, he has walked four batters in three of his last four outings and he has 18 walks in six outings this season.

When he pitches, the Phillies don’t score many runs as evident by the two runs they have in the last four games combined. Against the Nats on August 29, he went seven innings, gave up two runs on seven hits, struck out three, and walked one on 111 pitches in a loss. Jayson Werth had a home run in the first inning of that game.

As for Roark, he is coming off of a loss in his last start against the Mets on September 3. He went five innings, gave up two runs on four hits, struck out three, and walked four on 96 pitches. The four walks were the most Roark has had in any outing this season.

While Roark has a 2.69 ERA in ten starts since the All-Star Break, he has 24 walks, which is 11 fewer than his first half numbers (19 games). Plus, the right-hander wasn’t helped by his offense, which went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position that night.

This season, Roark has been dominant against the Phillies. In four starts, he is 3-0 with a 0.64 ERA (two runs allowed in 28 innings). Maikel Franco is 4-for-14 against him with three RBI’s.

Prediction: I did like the way Thompson adjusted after the rough first inning against the Nats on August 29 and I expect he would put up a strong outing tomorrow night. However, this season, it’s tough to pick against Roark when he has been great against a lackluster Phillies offense. Nats get the win here.

Next: Saturday's Matchup

Sep 5, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Jerad Eickhoff (10-13, 3.68) vs. Max Scherzer (16-7, 2.88) – 7:05 p.m, MASN

On Labor Day against the Miami Marlins, Eickhoff picked up his tenth win of the season. He went six innings, gave up two runs on six hits, and struck out four batters on 89 pitches. Eickhoff has now pitched into the sixth inning in six consecutive outings.

Even though the 26-year-old right-hander went 3-1 in five starts in the month of August, his 4.85 ERA was the highest that he has had in any month this season. Plus, he gave up seven home runs in 29.2 innings.

Against the Washington Nationals on August 30, Eickhoff went six innings, gave up three runs on five hits, struck out four, and walked three in a loss. Jayson Werth is 2-for-6 in his career vs. Eickhoff with a home run and two RBI’s.

Scherzer didn’t have his best outing on Labor Day against the Braves, but it was good enough for the Nats to get the win. He went seven innings, gave up two runs on seven hits, struck out five, and walked two as he won his team high 16^th game of the year.

The Washington Nationals ace has won four consecutive starts and he has given up eight runs over his last 29.1 innings. Right now, Scherzer leads the league in strikeouts (243) and has held opponents to a .186 average since the All-Star Break. With Strasburg’s injury, Scherzer’s role as the ace becomes even more important.

Like Roark, Scherzer has been great against the Phillies in 2016 (3-0, 2.48 ERA). He is 6-0 against the Phillies since joining the Nats in 2015 (eight starts). While Ryan Howard is 2-for-21 against Scherzer with 13 strikeouts, he does have a home run and three RBI’s.

Prediction: Eickhoff has been putting up quality starts for the Phillies and this should be a close game as well. However, Scherzer being on a win streak and his strong record against the Phillies has me leaning towards the Nats to win game number three.

Next: Sunday's Matchup

Sep 5, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Adam Morgan (39) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Adam Morgan (2-9, 5.90) vs. Gio Gonzalez (10-9, 4.40) – 1:35 p.m, MASN2

In his last start against the Marlins on September 6, Morgan picked up his first win since May 10. He went six innings, gave up one run on five hits, and struck out five on 85 pitches.

During that start, Morgan threw 54 of his 85 pitches for strikes and held the Marlins offense to one extra-base hit. In three of his last four starts, Morgan has given up two runs or fewer, which is a great improvement from how he pitched at the beginning of the season.

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This season, Morgan is 0-2 with a 5.12 ERA in three games against the Washington Nationals. That being said, the Nats offense has scored five runs in their last two games against Morgan. Wilson Ramos is 4-for-8 against the 26-year-old left-hander with one home run and six RBI’s.

To say Gonzalez’s start against the Braves was a disappointment on September 6 is an understatement. He went three innings, gave up six runs on eight hits, and struck out four on 85 pitches, but he got a no-decision.

Gonzalez gave up one run in each of the first innings that he pitched and he was only able to get six swinging strikes against the Braves. You have to go back to June 25 to find the last time the left-hander gave up six or more runs in an outing.

Next: Strasburg's Injury A Deep Concern For Nats Future

He has pitched well against the Phillies this season as he is 1-1 with a 1.40 ERA in three starts. On August 31, he gave up one run on two hits over six innings in a win. Freddy Galvis is 9-for-33 against him with two home runs and three RBI’s in his career.

Prediction: While the Washington Nationals have been able to dominate the Phillies this season, this is the game I think Philadelphia will win in the series. Morgan has pitched better of late and its tough to trust Gonzalez after the mediocre outing he had against the Braves. Phillies win the game, but the Nats take three out of four in the series.

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