Washington @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2012 ) Washington 3, Philadelphia 6
The Philadelphia Phillies won't have to witness the Washington Nationals celebrate a division title in the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia, the five-time reigning NL East champion, posted its fourth straight victory over Washington with a 6-3 triumph Tuesday. The Nationals' magic number remained at five after Atlanta emerged victorious as well. With the champagne on ice, Washington will look to even its series with Philadelphia when the teams reconvene at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday.
Carlos Ruiz provided the big blow with a three-run homer in the third inning for the Phillies, who have a faint chance at the second wild card. They sit 5 1/2 games behind St. Louis with eight remaining on the schedule. Washington has already booked a ticket to the postseason, but it would like to upgrade to first class as division champion. The Nationals lead Atlanta by four games in the NL East.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN2, CSN (Philadelphia)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH John Lannan (3-0, 4.43 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Kyle Kendrick (10-11, 3.89)
Lannan has traditionally been torched by Philadelphia, winning just two of 14 career decisions while being saddled with a gaudy 5.79 ERA. Lannan, who will turn 28 on Thursday, hasn't faced the Phillies this season. He walked away with a no-decision after getting touched for six runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers last Wednesday.
Kendrick posted his sixth win in eight starts after yielding two runs in 6 2/3 innings against Atlanta on Friday. The 28-year-old improved to 3-4 in his career versus Washington after producing the same pitching line on Aug. 24. Kendrick's success is due in part to his ability to keep the ball in the yard. He has permitted just five homers in his last eight starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Ryan Howard, who had a run-scoring single in the third inning, has 16 RBIs in his last 11 games. The Phillies slugger has struggled versus Lannan, going 9-for-37 with 13 strikeouts.
2. Washington general manager Mike Rizzo made no bones about it on Tuesday, declaring that he wants manager Davey Johnson back in the dugout in 2013. Johnson's contract expires at the end of this season.
3. Roy Halladay will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday to determine whether he'll make one more start this season. The Phillies' ace will pitch Saturday against Miami if he is free from spasms behind his right shoulder.