Philadelphia @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 19, 2010 ) Washington 6, Philadelphia 7
The Philadelphia Phillies secured their berth into the postseason on Sunday. Twenty-four hours later, the Phillies would like to attach the tag of "NL East champions" for the fourth time in as many years.
With a magic number to clinch the division at one, Philadelphia clinched at least a wild card berth after the NL Central-leading Cincinnati Reds defeated the San Diego Padres on Sunday.
Roy Halladay (20-10, 2.53 ERA) will look to tie up loose ends on Monday as the two-time defending National League champion Phillies (93-63) open a three-game series against the Washington Nationals (67-89).
Philadelphia could also win the division title outright if second-place Atlanta (87-69) drops any of its remaining games. The Braves face the Florida Marlins (77-78) on Monday.
Halladay has won four in a row to become the Phillies' first 20-game winner since Steve Carlton accomplished the feat in 1982. Impressive to be certain, but if we're splitting hairs, he did record a slightly-gaudy 4.55 ERA in the process.
In his last outing, the 33-year-old Halladay allowed three runs and seven hits in seven innings of Tuesday's 5-3 victory over the Braves.
Halladay has fared well against the Nationals franchise, posting a 7-1 mark with a 2.20 ERA in 11 career appearances.
The hurler will also be buoyed by the expected return to the lineup of Jimmy Rollins, who may be making his first start since Sept. 8. The three-time All-Star shortstop had been hampered by a hamstring injury prior to making a pinch-hit appearance on Sunday.
Speaking of Sunday, the Phillies were thwarted in opening the champagne as Carlos Beltran blasted a pair of homers and David Wright also went deep in the New York Mets' 7-3 victory at Citizens Bank Park.
Chase Utley belted a three-run shot for Philadelphia, which has followed up a 11-game winning streak with a modest two-game skid.
Washington will counter with John Lannan (8-7. 4.58 ERA), who will be celebrating his 26th birthday on Monday.
A winner in six of his last eight decisions overall, Lannan is coming off a no-decision against the Houston Astros on Tuesday. He allowed three runs and six hits over seven innings, but to no avail.
Lannan has struggled mightily against Philadelphia in his career. The southpaw is 0-7 with a 6.06 ERA in 10 career starts against the Phillies - including an 0-1 mark with a 7.27 ERA in two starts this season.