A couple of NL East rivals clash again on the baseball diamond, as the Washington Nationals travel to the City of Brotherly Love to face the Philadelphia Phillies. This matchup marks the second game of a four-game series. The Nationals recently split a two-game series against the Orioles, suffering a 4-1 defeat in their last outing. Meanwhile, the Phillies also split a two-game set at home with the Marlins, bouncing back to win the final game 9-5. Note that this article is being published before the conclusion of the initial game of the series at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday night.
Nationals Aiming to Disrupt Phillies’ Momentum
The Nationals recently faced off against the Orioles, but they ended up losing the final game of that series. Entering Thursday, the team held a record of 55-66, sitting fourth in the NL East and trailing the Phillies by 15.5 games. They are also 9.5 games behind the Braves in the race for the final wild card spot in the National League playoffs. In their last game, Washington could only manage five hits, with Alex Call being the standout performer with an RBI. The Nationals struggled with runners in scoring position, going 0 for 4 and leaving five runners stranded. DJ Herz (2-5) took the loss, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and five strikeouts over six innings.
Patrick Corbin will take the mound for the Nationals in this game, marking his 25th start of the season. Currently, he has a record of 2-12 with a 5.98 ERA and a 1.557 WHIP, accumulating 43 walks and 97 strikeouts over 131 innings. In his last game against the Angels, Corbin did not get a decision, pitching four innings and allowing four runs on eight hits. Over his last three starts, he has struggled, posting an 0-2 record with a staggering 12.46 ERA. When facing the Phillies, Corbin has a career record of 6-10 with a 4.81 ERA across 22 starts. His performance at Citizens Bank Park has also been challenging, with a 1-4 record and a 6.50 ERA in nine starts.
Phillies Looking to Regain Their Groove
The Phillies recently snapped a four-game losing streak by winning the last game against the Marlins. As of Thursday, they had a record of 70-50, leading the NL East by six games over the Braves. In their last game, Philadelphia showcased its offensive prowess, racking up 13 hits. Notable contributions came from Bryce Harper (run, RBI), Alec Bohm (run, RBI), and J.T. Realmuto (run, two RBI). Kyle Schwarber made headlines by hitting a grand slam, marking his 28th home run of the season. Tyler Phillips did not receive a decision, throwing 4.1 innings and allowing five runs on nine hits. Jose Ruiz (3-1) earned the win in relief after getting the final outs of the fifth inning.
Aaron Nola is set to pitch for the Phillies, also making his 25th start of the season. He comes in with an 11-6 record and a 3.60 ERA, alongside a 1.147 WHIP. In his last outing against the Diamondbacks, Nola suffered a loss after allowing four runs on nine hits over five innings. His performance has dipped recently, as he holds a 0-2 record with a 4.86 ERA in his last three starts. Nola has faced the Nationals 32 times in his career, holding a 9-8 record with a 3.70 ERA. At Citizens Bank Park, he has been effective, winning 55 of his 127 career starts with a 3.22 ERA.
Best Bets for Washington Nationals vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Despite Philadelphia’s recent struggles, facing Corbin could help them bounce back. Corbin leads the league in losses and has allowed the most hits and earned runs this season. Although the Nationals have extended manager Davey Martinez’s contract, that won’t influence the outcome in this matchup. Nola may have had some rough outings, but he possesses a solid track record at home. The Phillies’ lineup is capable of explosive performances, and they are likely to capitalize on Corbin’s vulnerabilities. Expect Philadelphia to come away with a win in this game.
