WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 24: Starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals works the first inning against the New York Mets at Nationals Park on May 24, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Washington Nationals will host the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night, and here is what you need to know.
This will be the second game of a three-game series. It’s do or die for the Nationals (63-63) at this point, as they are hoping to pass the .500 mark in order to reach the playoffs. Washington has lost six of its last 10 contests, including a brutal 12-1 defeat to the Miami Marlins, although they beat Philadelphia 10-4 on Tuesday.
SLIDESHOW: 30 Best Sports Instagrams!
The Phillies (68-57, .544) are second in the NL East, 5.5 games ahead of the third-place Nationals and two games behind the division-leading Atlanta Braves (70-55). Philadelphia has only lost three straight games but was thrashed 24-4 by the New York Mets last week.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Stephen Strasburg (6-7, 3.90 ERA) will likely start for Washington on Wednesday against fellow right-hander Zach Eflin (9-4, 3.70 ERA). Strasburg — who boasts 101 strikeouts this season — will be making his first start since July 20. He was on the disabled list for about a month due to a neck injury. Eflin has struck out 91 batters this year.
30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW
Wednesday’s game will start at 7:05 p.m. EST and will air on NBC Sports Philadelphia and MASN.
The Atlanta Braves announced this week that they have extended their ace pitcher, Chris Sale,…
Boxing legends Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are stepping back into the ring one more…
Kon Knueppel was playing high school basketball just two years ago, and now he has…
Former New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez is facing new accusations of drug use in…
In the wake of Team USA winning the gold medal at the Milan Cortina Winter…
The Indianapolis Colts and former first-round pick Anthony Richardson Sr. will be working together to…