The Nationals and Phillies meet for the first time this season for the first of nineteen head-to-head match-ups. Both teams have new-look managers with Dave Martinez and Gabe Kapler. Both teams have new players, and the Nats have the Phillies killer, Matt Adams, who is hitting the Phillies pitchers well. If we highlight the pitchers Adams could see in this series (no Nola or Eichoff), he is mashing them at a .368 bating average and a .424 OBP. The Nationals also have their “Sky Chiefs” making contributions to this line-up.
With Anthony Rendon tonight in the P-Nats line-up as part of his rehab, he had a nice 2-for-4 rehab game with the Potomac Nationals last night where he played alongside Juan Soto who jacked 2 home runs in the game in a 12-to-2 rout in High-A ball.
We know that Gio Gonzalez will try to continue the Nats’ success tonight, and he will face the righty Nick Pivetta who was the farmhand the Nationals traded for Jonathan Papelbon. Pivetta is giving it up to lefties who are hitting him at .305 compared to righties at .194. Also, Pivetta has had large road splits pitching to a 4.00 ERA on the road compared to 3.00 at home.
Speaking of pitchers, the Nationals have a decision to make with Shawn Kelley who has resumed throwing and is eligible to come off of the disabled list today.
In a private reception tonight at Nationals Park, Budweiser and the Nationals will unveil the George Washington recipe that will be brewed as Freedom Reserve. It is available now at local stores but not available at Nats Park until July.
Budweiser is proud to continue their 100+ years of support for U.S. troops with the introduction of Budweiser Freedom Reserve Red Lager. This specialty lager is brewed by veterans at Anheuser-Busch with $1 per every case of Freedom Reserve (from 5/1/18 – 9/30/18) donated to Folds of Honor (FOH) – Budweiser’s long-time non-profit partner who provides educational scholarships to the families of fallen and disabled soldiers. The recipe for this specialty Red Lager is inspired by one beer recipe hand-penned by George Washington in his military journal from 1757. It is brewed with toasted barley grains to produce a lightly hoppy aroma and a slightly sweet taste with a hint of molasses.
This special beer is part of an upcoming “hero” promotion with the Nationals and Folds of Honor.
“The first year we were doing a hero experience for the Military Bowl, and I was blown-away by these stories from heroes who were nominated,” said Cassie Mabery of Capital Eagle, DC’s Anheuser-Busch wholesale distributor. “We had over 200 submissions about heroes that year. Each story was special. It is a great opportunity to do this promotion with the Washington Nationals.”
We will be following up this event with the Who’s Your Hero promotion between Folds of Honor, Budwesier, Capital Eagle, and the Washington Nationals where 5 local heroes will be recognized for their heroism and recognized on the field on July 3rd at Nationals Park.
“We are pleased to partner with both Budweiser and Folds of Honor to provide this VIP experience and recognize those who make a difference every day,” said Valerie Camillo, Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer for the Washington Nationals.
“We recognize the military at every game, but it has always been important to us to give back to their families when we can, and to show that those who go above and beyond to make a difference are recognized and appreciated.”
Talking about fan promotions, don’t forget to arrive early tonight if you are going to the game as it is Max Scherzer Cy Young bobblehead night.
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals
Stadium: Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
1st Pitch: 7:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN; MLB App out-of-market
Nats Radio: 106.7 The Fan and via the MLB app
Line-ups subject to change without notice:
- Bryce Harper RF
- Trea Turner SS
- Matt Adams LF
- Ryan Zimmerman 1B
- Howie Kendrick 2B
- Matt Wieters C
- Michael Taylor CF
- Gio Gonzalez LHP
- Wilmer Difo 3B
