Game Details: Washington Nationals (45 - 53; 4th NL East) v.  Philadelphia Phillies (49-49 2nd NL East)
Pitching Matchup: RHP Joe Ross (5-8; 4.02 ERA) v. RHP Spencer Howard (0-2; 5.11 ERA)  
Date & Time: July 26, 2021; 7:05 pm EDT
Location: Citizens Bank Park | Philadelphia, PA
TV: MASN
Radio: 106.7 the Fan

Game Time Forecast via National Weather Service

Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Today in Nationals History

2007 – Lefthander John Lannan became just the fifth player in MLB history to be ejected in a Major League debut. He is joined on this short list by Cincinnati’s Aaron Boone, Oakland’s Doug Johns, Milwaukee’s Sid Roberson and Philadelphia’s Andy Carter. Lannan was ejected by homeplate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt after hitting Ryan Howard in the fifth inning, one offering after hitting Chase Utley with a pitch. The ejection was heavily scrutinized, however, as it came with the Nationals trailing by only one run.

Washington Nationals Game StoryLine:

The Washington Nationals continue this seven-game road trip against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night. This four-game series will be Washington's final visit to Citizens Bank Park in 2021.

Pitching Matchup

RHP Joe Ross (5-8; 4.02 ERA)

Right-hander Joe Ross returns from the 10-day Injured List to make the start on Monday night against Philadelphia. Ross was placed on the Injured List on July 8 with right elbow inflammation. In six starts dating to June 5, Ross posted a 2.31 ERA (10 ER/39.0 IP) with 44 strikeouts and six walks. He allowed zero earned runs in three of the six starts. Back on July 4 vs. Los Angeles (NL) — his final start before being placed on the Injured List — Ross struck out a season-high 11 batters in 6.2 innings of work.

Ross has pitched to a 3.21 ERA in nine road starts…He’s allowed two earned runs or less in seven of the nine starts…Across his last two road starts, he’s allowed zero earned runs in 13.0 innings pitched with 12 strikeouts and a .159 opponents’ average (7-for-44).

Against the Philadelphia Phillies: Ross will make his second start against the Phillies this season. In three career starts at Philadelphia he is 2-1 with a 0.44 ERA (1 ER/20.2 IP) with 14 strikeouts and six walks.

RHP Spencer Howard (0-2; 5.11 ERA)

Howard (0-2, 5.11 ERA) is 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in two career starts against the Nationals.

Howard's issue has been his lack of innings. Too often, Howard has been pulled after three innings or fewer. He has started in six of his 10 outings this season, but has only last four innings twice.

GameNotes

Ring the Bell

In his last 31 games, Josh Bell is hitting .300 with four doubles, seven home runs, 22 RBI, 10 walks and 16 runs scored. Bell hasn't gone back-to-back games without a hit since the June 12 doubleheader against the San Francisco Giants. Since May 13, Bell ranks in the National League in slugging percentage (12th, .525), batting average (12th, .295), and OPS (14th, .875).

Juan is the One

Juan Soto is 13-for-33 (.394) with two doubles, six homers, 13 RBI, nine walks, one stolen base and nine runs scored in nine games since returning from the All-Star break. Soto has just four strikeouts since the All-Star break with three of the four coming on July 17 vs. San Diego. The six home runs are tied for the most in Major League Baseball since the All-Star break with LAD Chris Taylor.

Soto’s 13 RBI’s are tied for second-most in Major League Baseball since the break (LAD Will Smith, 14). Soto ranks in the National League in on-base percentage (1st, .420), walks (1st, 67), OPS (5th, .925), batting average (8th, .295), runs (T7th, 63) and average with runners in scoring position (8th, .348). Lastly, Soto is just one of three players in the Majors with more walks than strikeouts on the season, leading the Majors with a 1.20 BB/SO ratio (67 BB/56 SO).

Lucky #7

Trea Turner has not gone back-to-back games without a hit since June 12-13…In 32 games since June 14, he is hitting .359 with six doubles, three triples, eight homers, 19 RBI, 10 walks, one hit by pitch, eight stolen bases and 33 runs scored. Turner ranks in the NL in multi-hit games (2nd, 38), stolen bases (T2nd, 21), hits (2nd, 122), batting average (3rd, .319), fWAR (3rd, 4.2), runs scored (6th, 65), slugging percentage (8th, .521) and OPS (12th, .888)

Game Lineups (Subject To Change without Notice)

Washington Nationals

Alcides Escobar - 2B
Trea. Turner - SS
Juan Soto - RF
Josh Bell - 1B
Josh Harrison - 3B
Gerardo Parra - LF
Tres Barrera - C
Victor Robles - CF
Joe Ross - P

Philadelphia Phillies

Jean Segura - 2B
J.T. Realmuto - C
Bryce Harper - RF
Andrew McCutchen - LF
Rhys Hoskins - 1B
Didi. Gregorius - SS
Ronald Torreyes - 3B
Odubel. Herrera - CF
Spencer Howard - P