Game Notes: Washington Nationals V. Philadelphia Phillies (September 2, 2020)
The Struggling Washington Nationals Look To Avoid A Fifth Straight Loss When They Hand The Ball To Right-Hander Max Scherzer.
Game Details:
Washington Nationals (12-21) at Philadelphia Phillies (16-15)
RHP Max Scherzer (3-1, 3.86 ERA) | RHP Zack Wheeler (3-0 2.58 ERA)
Wednesday, September 2, 2020 | 7:05 p.m. EST | Game #34 / Road Game #16
Citizens Bank Park | Philadelphia, PA
TV: MASN | Radio: 106.7 The Fan / Nationals Radio Network
Recap From Previous Washington Nationals Game
The Washington Nationals dropped another game last night, bringing their season record to 12-21. They are currently in the last place in the NL East. Last night's game marks the second time that the Nationals have not been able to score a run in 2020.
Today's GameNotes:
Nationals look to bounce back in Game 3 against the Phillies with Scherzer on the mound.
The Nationals will hand the ball to right-hander Max Scherzerfor his seventh start of the season on Tuesday. Scherzer (3-1, 3.86 ERA) pitched a solid six innings in his last start against the Boston Redsox in a 10-2 win back in August. Scherzer struck out eleven, gave up six hits and one earned run.
What To Watch
Streak Snapped
Trea Turner had his 16-game hitting streak snapped on Tuesday; however, last night, Trea Turner extended his on-base streak to 23 games with a third-inning walk. Currently, Turner has a .500 on-base percentage during this streak.
Manning the Plate
Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki have combined to hit safely in 21 of the Nationals last 22 games dating to August 9 in Baltimore. Their .288 combined batting average this season ranks fourth among Major League catching groups (2nd in National League).
Together, they rank fifth in the National League in OBP (.344) and SLG (.441).
Suzuki has hit safely in a career-high 11 straight games and is hitting .333 (13-for-39) with one double, one homer, four RBI, one hit by a pitch, four walks, and six runs scored during his streak.
Lastly, Yan Gomes has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games, going 17-for-47 (.362) with four doubles, one triple, two homers, seven RBI, three walks, and eight runs scored.
Pitch Perfect
Max Scherzer has won his last three starts on the mound for the Washington Nationals. Scherzer holds an impressive 5-0 career mark with a 2.40 ERA at Citizens Bank Park. Overall, Scherzer is 11-3 with a 2.62 ERA in 20 career starts against the Phillies. Today is Scherzer faces Philadelphia for the first time this season.
Currently, Scherzer Leads National League with 13.26 SO/9.0 IP (2nd in MLB) and is fourth in the NL with 55 strikeouts (9th in MLB. Additionally, Scherzer ranks ninth in the National League with a 4.23 SO/BB ratio.
Game Lineups (Subject to Change)
Washington Nationals
- T. Turner SS
- J. Soto LF
- H. Kendrick DH
- A. Cabrera 1B
- A. Eaton RF
- K. Suzuki C
- B. Holt 3B
- L. Garcia 2B
- V. Robles CF
Philadelphia Phillies
- A. McCutchen LF
- D. Gregorius SS
- B. HarperDH
- J.T. Realmuto C
- J. Bruce RF
- J. Segura 2B
- A. Bohm 3B
- N. Walker 1B
- A. Haseley CF
Washington Nationals Injury Report
Starlin Castro 2B August 29 60-Day IL (wrist)
Seth Romero RP August 26 10-Day IL ( right hand)
Stephen Strasburg RP August 23 60-Day IL (right hand)
Sam Freeman RP August 14 60-Day IL (elbow)
Roenis Elias RP August 13 60-Day IL (left forearm)
Today In Nationals History
September 2 (8-7) 2005 – In his second career at-bat, Ryan Zimmerman doubled off the Phillies' Vicente Padilla for his first Major League hit.
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