You just never know what you will see at the ballpark. History is made daily in sports, and last night the 19-year-old phenom tied a record and set a record. Juan Soto was the first teenager ever to record 4-hits in a game with 2 home runs, and with his second multi-HR game, he has tied the teenage record with teammate Bryce Harper‘s 2012 season as well as Ken Griffey Jr. and Mel Ott.
Jeremy Hellickson returns to the ballpark where he pitched at as his home park in 2016 and 2017. Expect him to get booed mightily when he is announced in the line-up. Hellickson takes Jefry Rodriguez‘s spot in the starting rotation, and Helli hasn’t pitched for the Nationals since May 29th when he was placed on the 10-day DL with a hamstring strain.
The Phillies will pitch the inconsistent righty Vince Velasquez today. He has a 5-8 record with a 4.69 ERA, and Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy, and Wilmer Difo have all hit him very well in the past. Anthony Rendon only has one career hit off of Velasquez, and it was a home run. Is this the game that the birthday boy Trea Turner will figure out Velasquez?
After the completion of today’s game, the regular season will be officially halfway completed mathematically. Most consider the All-Star break as the halfway mark, but this is where the season starts to head towards the sprint portion of the season.
TravelNats picked this game as their big road trip. Look for them throughout the stadium and especially in section 106. Thanks to Andrew Ross (aka Draz) for all of the hard work and funding to make this happen.
Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Stadium: Citizen’s Bank Ballpark, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1st Pitch: 6:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN2; MLB App out-of-market
Nats Radio: 106.7 The Fan and via the MLB app
Line-ups subject to change without notice:
- Adam Eaton RF
- Trea Turner SS
- Bryce Harper CF
- Anthony Rendon 3B
- Juan Soto LF
- Mark Reynolds 1B
- Wilmer Difo 2B
- Spencer Kieboom C
- Jeremy Hellickson RHP
