The Philadelphia Phillies (83-72, 77-77 RL, 75-72-7 O/U) battle the Washington Nationals (54-101, 68-85 RL, 69-77-7 O/U) in the first of a three-game divisional series on Friday night. The Phillies send Noah Syndergaard to the mound. The Nationals have yet to name a starter. The Phillies lead the season series 13-2.
Noah Syndergaard will get the nod in game two of Friday’s doubleheader. Syndergaard pitched out of the bullpen in his latest appearance last Wednesday, recording two shutout innings against the Blue Jays. The veteran has been subpar, logging a 4.91 ERA this month and has posted a 4.12 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP accompanied by a 9-10 record in 129 innings pitched on the year. Syndergaard has surrendered seven runs on a whopping 19 hits in 11 innings against the Nationals this season and is 7-6 with a strong 3.42 ERA in 108 career innings.
The Phillies are in danger of missing the playoffs yet again. They held a large five-game cushion early in the month and are now even with the Brewers in the Wildcard after they were dealt an ugly three-game sweep by the Cubs this week, managing only three runs in the series. They stand at 3-7 in their last ten games .
JT Realmuto has feasted on the Nationals this season, registering a dazzling 1.1 OPS. The veteran catcher is having another productive season, bashing 21 big flies with 82 RBIs and an .816 OPS. Realmuto has collected 15 RBIs and a solid .880 OPS on the month.
The Phillies are posting an average of 4.67 runs, good for seventh overall. The pitching staff has logged a 3.95 team ERA, placing them 16th in the big leagues.