Washington @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 25, 2012 ) Washington 2, Philadelphia 4
It's hardly time to panic for the Washington Nationals, who have lost three straight for the first time since July 19-21 and watched their division lead shrink to 5 1/2 games over Atlanta. But when a franchise hasn't enjoyed a winning season in its current city and hasn't made the playoffs since 1981, fingers tend to hover over the button. The Nationals will try to allay those fears and maintain the majors' best record when they look to salvage the final game of a three-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Phillies, who have won six of eight, have taken the first two games of the series behind strong performances from starters Kyle Kendrick and Roy Halladay. They hope for more of the same from left-hander Cliff Lee, whose last win came against the Nationals when he threw seven scoreless innings July 31 at Washington. The Nationals counter with right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, who turned in a pair of quality starts against the Phillies in May but split the decisions.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, MASN, WDCW DC-50, PHL 17
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jordan Zimmermann (9-7, 2.54 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cliff Lee (2-7, 3.78)
Zimmermann won six straight decisions before faltering Aug. 14 at San Francisco and taking a no-decision Monday against Atlanta. Against the Braves, he gave up four runs over five innings with just two strikeouts, his lowest total in more than a month. Zimmermann is 1-3 with a 5.00 ERA in five starts against Philadelphia.
Lee's tough-luck season continued Tuesday against Cincinnati, as he turned in another quality start without a positive result. He allowed three runs (two earned) in 6 2/3 innings but didn't get a decision in a 5-4 loss. Lee is winless in four starts this month. He is 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA in six starts against the Nationals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington's last four-game losing streak was June 15-19 against the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.
2. Nationals OF Michael Morse (bruised right hand) and SS Ian Desmond (hamstring) are not expected to play Sunday. Morse sat out Saturday after leaving Friday's game when he was hit in the hand with a pitch. Desmond has missed the past two games.
3. Phillies 3B Placido Polanco (back) has missed two straight games. Polanco played in four games, making two starts, since coming off the disabled list Aug. 20.