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Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies: Five Players To Watch This Weekend

By Ricky Keeler

Apr 5, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Pete Mackanin (45) stands in the dugout at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Pete Mackanin (45) stands in the dugout at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals
Mar 27, 2017; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) delivers a pitch against the New York Mets during a spring training game at First Data Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Max Scherzer

Due to getting a late start to spring training games, Scherzer was unable to pitch in the opener. However, he gets a chance to pitch in the Phillies home opener this afternoon in a ballpark he is very comfortable pitching in.

Since joining the Washington Nationals in 2015, Scherzer is 4-0 in five outings at Citizens Bank Park. As for his overall numbers against the Phillies, he is 6-0 over a nine start stretch.

At the U.S. Naval Academy last Saturday, Scherzer got to have one last exhibition start and had a decent outing against the Red Sox. He went five innings, gave up two runs on six hits, struck out four, and walked one in a no-decision.

Now that he is using the traditional grip on his fastball, there shouldn’t be many issues for Scherzer in this game. The only thing that could happen is if he doesn’t locate his fastball and someone like Maikel Franco takes him deep. Plus, can he continue to work out the chemistry between him and Wieters?

If there’s one hitter to watch against Scherzer on the Phillies, it’s new right fielder Michael Saunders. From his time in the American League, Saunders is 2-for-9 against Scherzer with three RBI’s (both of those hits were doubles).

In fact, only two Phillies have hit a home run against the right-hander (Andres Blanco and Cameron Rupp). If all things go right and the trends hold, expect Scherzer to stay unbeaten against the Phillies.

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