Young Nats — Series Preview: Nationals at Phillies, May 17 – 19
May 13, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott (5) reacts to hitting a home run against the New York Mets during the ninth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
The Phillies’ NL East stretch comes to an end this weekend, as they welcome in the Washington Nationals for a three-game set. Those Nats, hey, are not as bad as everyone thought they would be.
They are not the best team in the world, as they are two games below .500, but they were projected to be well below there and way down at the bottom of the division.
Pitching: Good, Hitting: Not
The Phils met up with the Nats in the nation’s capital back in April, where the Phillies took two of three. However, the Nationals actually have a winning record since that series, mostly due to a pitching staff.
Washington’s staff ranks fifth in the NL in ERA. It has been a surprise. The three guys the Phillies offense will be facing have had solid starts to their 2024 campaign.
Jake Irvin gets the ball Friday night in Game 1. His 3.55 ERA this season was boosted in a poor start against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Which is pretty understandable. His last start in Boston last Saturday was pretty solid. Threw seven innings allowing four hits, two runs, a homer, no walks, and struck out six on 103 pitches.
Following him will be MacKenzie Gore, who has a 3.38 ERA and kept the Phillies quiet the last time he faced them. He threw 5.2 innings, allowing five hits and two runs while striking out six.
In the finale, the Nats got with their ace, Trevor Williams, who is 4-0 with a 1.94 ERA. Williams is 32 and coming off a season where his ERA was plus-five, he has had an impressive bounce back.
And well, they are making up big time for their offense. Their team OPS in May was just .601, the worst in the NL. Shortstop C.J. Abrams looked like he might have been having a breakout season early on, but the 23-year-old is betting just .192 this month. He is viewed as a big part of this Nationals rebuild. So, if this continues, there could be an issue in D.C.
Hot Stott
You think Bryson Stott is on a heater?
In his last 15 games, Stott is hitting .409 with an absurd 1.313 OPS, driving in 18 runs and walking 16 times against just six strikeouts. And he has come up big many times, as well.
Stott got off to a middling start to 2024 but has turned it around in a needed time. With Trea Turner‘s absence with a hamstring injury, the Phillies needed someone to step up. Stott has. Edmundo Sosa has been solid, as well.
The Phils face left-hander Gore on Saturday, so I doubt Stott plays. It is also Stott bobblehead night on Friday, so that is fun.
Speaking of Trea…
Turner, who went on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain two weeks ago, is out on the field taking grounders and sprinting. And, hey, he does not look bad.
He still has four weeks from a return until what he said “would be a win.” But from these videos, hey, I am buying into a quick return.
Game Times and Broadcasts
Friday, May 17, at 6:40 pm ET on NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP
Saturday, May 18, at 6:05 pm ET on NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP
Sunday, May 19, at 1:35 pm ET on NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP
Pitching Matchups
Game 1: Zack Wheeler (RHP, 4-3, 2.53 ERA) vs. Jake Irvin (RHP, 2-3, 3.55 ERA)
Game 2: Cristopher Sánchez (LHP, 2-3, 3.43 ERA) vs. MacKenzie Gore (LHP, 2-4, 3.38 ERA)
Game 3: Zack Wheeler (RHP, 4-3, 1.64 ERA) vs. Trevor Williams (RHP, 4-0, 1.94 ERA)
By the Numbers
- Records
- Phillies: 31-14
- Nationals: 20-22
- Run Differential
- Phillies: 71
- Nationals: -10
- Runs Scored Per Game
- Phillies: 5.27 (best in MLB)
- Nationals: 3.95
- Runs Allowed Per Game
- Phillies: 3.69
- Nationals: 4.19
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