Photo by Sol Tucker for TalkNats
After the completion of this game, the Washington Nationals will be just 10 games until the halfway point in the season. This game will create some separation in the NL East. It is a depleted NL East as each team is dealing with injuries. Yesterday, the Nats asserted themselves as a contender in an NL East that is struggling to stay above the level of mediocrity, and mostly because of the injuries.
Yesterday marked the first game in a stretch of twenty games in twenty days that wraps up on July 11 when we head into the All-Star break. Starting on Monday, it is 14 straight days of games against teams that would all be in the postseason if the season was already decided. Teams like the Mets (.544), Rays (.581), Dodgers (.603), Padres (.579), and Giants (.644).
Speaking of stats, the Nats had one more failure in a bases loaded spot in yesterday’s game and the team is now batting an abysmal 10-65 (.154) with just 1 sacrifice fly in those spots. Ironically, it was the Phillies who failed twice last night with bases loaded, and that occurred in the 9th inning of the game.
The Nats will look to Erick Fedde today to pitch a gem. The Phillies have righty Vince Velasquez going for the home team.
Nats’ batting history against Velasquez
These teams wrap up this quick two game series in less than 24 hours. Will there be more drama today? Stay tuned.
Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Stadium: Citizen’s Bank Ballpark, Philadephia, Pennsylvania
1st Pitch: 1:05 pm EDT
TV: MASN, NBC Sports Philadelphia, MLB Network out-of-area only, MLB.TV
Nats Radio: 106.7 FM The Fan; SiriusXM® ( Streaming Internet 869)
Line-ups subject to change without notice:
1. Kyle Schwarber LF
2. Trea Turner SS
3. Juan Soto RF
4. Josh Bell 1B
5. Josh Harrison 2B
6. Alex Avila C
7. Starlin Castro 3B
8. Victor Robles CF
9. Erick Fedde RHP
