Philadelphia @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 11, 2013 ) Washington 1, Philadelphia 3
One day after catching a glimpse of their future, the Philadelphia Phillies look to give manager Charlie Manuel his 1,000th career victory Friday when they begin a three-game road series against the Washington Nationals. Ethan Martin collected his first major-league win and Cody Asche hit his first career homer in Thursday’s 12-1 triumph over the Chicago Cubs. Another victory will allow Manuel to become the 59th manager in major-league history to reach the 1,000-win benchmark.
After the National League East-leading Atlanta Braves completed a three-game road sweep of the Nationals Wednesday, second-place Washington enters this series 15½ games off the pace in the division. "It's getting to a point where we're just not winning games, and you hate to accept losing at any point, but the losses are definitely piling up,” right fielder Jayson Werth said following the Nationals’ fourth straight setback. Snapping that streak may prove difficult against John Lannan, who has held his former teammates to a .213 average in two starts.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CSN (Philadelphia), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH John Lannan (3-4, 4.10 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Dan Haren (6-11, 5.14)
Lannan settled for a no-decision in Saturday’s 5-4 setback against the Atlanta Braves, allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits over 4 1/3 innings. The left-hander, who spent the first six years of his career with the Nationals, is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA against his former team after Washington non-tendered him last winter. Lannan will attempt to take advantage of the Nationals’.627 OPS mark against southpaws, easily the worst mark in the majors.
After enduring 11 winless starts between May 14 and July 22 which included a stint on the disabled list, Haren notched his second consecutive victory in Saturday’s 3-0 road win over the Milwaukee Brewers. “Going on the DL was a chance to regroup, allowed me to hit reset and try to cut the year into two parts -- leave the first part behind and try to move on,” he said following his last outing. Haren is 0-4 in seven all-time starts (including three this season) with a 5.54 ERA against Philadelphia.
WALK-OFFS
1. Philadelphia is 4-14 since the All-Star break.
2. Werth is batting a major league-high .396 since July 1.
3. The Phillies claimed OF Casper Wells off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.
PREDICTION: Nationals 3, Phillies 2