Philadelphia @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( May 11, 2021 ) Philadelphia 6, Washington 2
The slumping Washington Nationals will hope to get back on track Wednesday when they host the Philadelphia Phillies in the middle contest of a three-game set.
The Nationals took their third loss in a row in the series opener, falling 6-2 on Tuesday. The defeat was Washington's sixth in seven games.
The Phillies snapped a two-game losing streak despite seeing catcher J.T. Realmuto exit after being hit by a foul ball on his left knee in the seventh inning.
Backup Andrew Knapp was sent in to pinch-hit for Realmuto in the eighth, and he produced a key two-run single.
"It's just about being a professional and being ready when any opportunity comes," Knapp said on a postgame interview on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Phillies manager Joe Girardi called Realmuto's injury a muscle contusion, terming the veteran catcher's condition as day-to-day.
"We'll just see how he feels (Wednesday)," Girardi said.
The Phillies will send Zack Wheeler (3-2, 2.83 ERA) to the mound Wednesday for his eighth start of the season.
Wheeler pitched the second shutout of his career in his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers, firing a three-hitter on Thursday. He struck out eight and walked none.
Wheeler has struggled in his career against the Nationals, going 6-11 with a 4.64 ERA in 20 starts. This season, though, Wheeler has been quite consistent.
"That's the goal, right? To go out there and pitch seven innings or more," Wheeler said after his last start. "Being realistic, it's hard to throw a complete game every time. But that's the goal -- seven to nine innings -- just trying to save the bullpen and help the team out the best you can."
Wheeler is thrilled with the trust Girardi is giving him.
"Sometimes it frustrates you when somebody takes you out when you feel like you aren't done," Wheeler said. "I appreciate him. He's been around awhile and he has a feel, and I think he knows me by now. I'm a pretty honest guy, so if I'm feeling like I'm not on or I might need somebody (to enter in relief), I'll tell him just to have somebody up."
The Nationals will hand the ball to Jon Lester (0-1, 2.70 ERA) for his third start of the campaign. He missed the start of the season due to COVID-19 protocols.
Lester's career numbers against the Phillies are outstanding: 8-1 with a minuscule 1.92 ERA in 11 starts.
"I've seen it for five years now, going on six, and he's been doing it for way longer than I've seen him doing it," Nationals left fielder Kyle Schwarber said of Lester. "The guy is an ultimate professional."
The Nationals will hope to get offense from more than just two players on Wednesday. In the series opener, Trea Turner had three of the team's seven hits, including a home run, and Juan Soto had a single and three walks.
Soto, who missed 10 games earlier this season with a left shoulder strain, is hitting .269 with three homers and 11 RBIs.
"At the plate, I feel really good," Soto said. "My swing's right on it. The ball doesn't land where I want it, but my swing was right there, my timing was right there. ...
"Right now, I've just got to keep swinging. I've just got to find a way to hit the ball, square the ball up and try to find the gaps. I hit the ball really well Sunday twice. I just couldn't find the hole. Just keep swinging and try to give it my best."
Nationals manager Dave Martinez added, "I think it's just a matter of time before things click and you start seeing him hitting the ball hard all over the place."
--Field Level Media