Categories: NewsPosts

Gameday: Nationals (25-17) vs. Phillies (21-22)

Washington Nationals (25-17) at Philadelphia Phillies (21-22)

Jordan Zimmermann (2-4, 2.58) vs. Roy Halladay (4-3, 3.22)

Time: 7:05, Citizens Bank Park
TV: CSN
Weather: Showers, 69
Media: Twitter and Facebook

Injury news: Vance Worley is back from his trip to see Dr. James Andrews and the news stays the same for the Phillies righty. He has loose bodies in his elbow, so it’s likely he’ll try to pitch through the pain, a la Cole Hamels last season.

—————–

No Jimmy Rollins again for the Phillies. He’s been placed on paternity leave following the birth of his daughter, so Erik Kratz has been recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take his spot on the roster. Rollins should be back in a couple of days.

Jordan Zimmermann is the man the Phillies will be facing tonight. Have to hope for an opposite performance than that against Gio Gonzalez. The Phillies had him on the ropes a few times throughout, but as has been the case all year, they were unable to capitalize with men in scoring position. It’s been their knock all year. And it won’t be any easier with Zimmermann on the hill, either, although recently the 26-year-old has been touch and go.

The right-hander has faced the Phillies once this year, giving up three runs in six innings. In his last start, he allowed four runs in six innings in a loss to the Pirates. However, in four starts total this year, he’s allowed one run.

Roy Halladay looks to continue his string of nice outings. You’ll notice the 3.22 ERA, which stands out next to Halladay’s name. That’s basically a byproduct of the 8 run outing back on May 2 that inflated those digits. Since that shellacking by the Braves, Halladay has seven, seven, and eight innings, respectively, giving up no more than three earned runs in any of those starts. His strikeout stuff is back, too, as he’s fanned 21 in the last three outings.

Once again, expect a low-scoring, close game with two very good pitchers dueling.

Lineup: Pierre LF, Polanco 3B, Victorino CF, Pence RF, Ruiz C, Luna 1B, Galvis SS, Fontenot 2B, Halladay P

Your gameday beer: Victory Prima Pils

Prima Pils is a great beer for anytime of the year. It’s got a little bit of a bite on the end of it, which I like with my microbrew pilsners. Victory says it’s an herbal bite over layers of smooth malts. I’d say that’s accurate. Prima Pils is both refreshing and thirst-quenching for a beer. It’s a little heavier at 5.3%, so go easier on it. I’d have some pasta with chicken and a tall glass of this tonight. – Pat

GO PHILLIES!

Share
Pat Gallen

Pat joined Phillies Nation in July 2009, coming over from Examiner.com. As a previous employee of both Comcast SportsNet and the National Basketball Association, Pat prides himself on being a well-rounded individual when it comes to sports. However, the Phillies are first on the list. You’ll usually find Pat chiming in on the Phillies Nation Facebook or Twitter account, weekdays on 97.3 ESPN radio or hosting Phillies Nation TV. He’s also a Senior Writer for the site, and in his free time is a music enthusiast and Will Ferrell movie-follower. His favorite beer: Philly’s own Yards. In 2015, Pat moved on from Phillies Nation as a sports anchor and reporter for CBS-3 in Philadelphia.

Get throwback Phillies styles from Shibe Vintage Sports in Center City Philly