Philadelphia @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 30, 2010 ) Philadelphia 1, Washington 8
While the buzz in the District of Columbia centers around rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg and his ailing shoulder, the Washington Nationals have quietly knocked off a pair of NL East powers.
After taking two of three from the division-leading Atlanta Braves, the Nationals spoiled Roy Oswalt's debut and snapped the Philadelphia Phillies' eight-game winning streak on Friday.
Washington (45-58) will look to claim its second straight series when it faces Philadelphia (56-47) on Saturday.
In the series opener on Friday, Josh Willingham and Roger Bernadina belted two-run doubles and Craig Stammen posted his first victory in over one month as the Nationals spoiled Roy Oswalt's debut with the Phillies with an 8-1 triumph.
Adam Kennedy had four hits and both he and Nyjer Morgan scored twice for Washington, which helped stymie Philadelphia's charge to the top of the division. Coupled with Atlanta's 6-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, Philadelphia dropped to 3.5 games behind the Braves in the division.
The Nationals will send Ross Detwiler (0-1, 0-0 ERA) to the hill on Saturday.
The sixth overall pick of the 2007 draft, Detwiler is just 1-7 with a 4.71 ERA in 17 career games - including 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA in two games against the Phillies.
After recovering from hip surgery, the 24-year-old left-hander made his first start of the season and permitted five runs and three hits in 3 2/3 innings of an 8-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.
He'll need to keep the Phillies' offense in check.
On Friday, Jayson Werth belted a solo home run and Raul Ibanez and rookie Domonic Brown singled twice in a losing effort.
For its part, Philadelphia will counter with Joe Blanton (4-6, 5.85 ERA). The 29-year-old Tennessee native allowed just two runs and six hits in six innings en route to a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Monday.
The start proved significant since it was the first time since Sept. 22, 2009 that Blanton permitted just two runs or less in an outing.
In nine career games against the Nationals, the burly right-hander is 2-3 with a gaudy 6.51 ERA.
Blanton may or may not have to face slugger Adam Dunn, who has been the subject of many trade inquiries. With the trade deadline coming on Saturday afternoon, Dunn may be making his way to a new team in a matter of hours.
Washington has been active sellers at the trade deadline - shipping All-Star closer Matt Capps to the Minnesota Twins and Cristian Guzman to the Texas Rangers this week.