Phillies (98-57) vs. Nationals (75-79), 7:05 p.m. on CSN
Starting Pitchers
Phillies: Roy Oswalt (8-9, 3.66) has gone at least seven innings in each of his last three starts. His last time on the hill, Oswalt tossed seven shutout innings, allowing just five hits and striking out seven. The Phils have won three of his last four starts.
Nationals: Brad Peacock (1-0, 1.42) made his first major league start a week ago, and he was terrific. In five innings against the Mets, Peacock allowed just a pair of hits and no runs. The 23-year-old was called up when the rosters expanded after posting a 15-3 record between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse.
Previous games
The Phils have dropped each of the series first three games, extending their losing streak to a season-high five games. Wednesdays contest resulted in a 7-5 loss, despite John Mayberrys performance. Making his third straight start, Mayberry was 3-for-4 with a homer and a pair of RBIs.
Head-to-head
The Phils are 8-9 against the Nationals this season, but theyve outscored Washington by four runs in 17 total gamesIn 18 career starts against the Nationals, Oswalt is 7-4 with a 2.95Laynce Nix is 12-for-28 (.429) against Oswalt with four doubles, three homers and six RBIs and a pair of homers, while Ian Desmond is 2-for-20 (.100) with six KsPeacock has never faced the Phillies.
Whos hot?
Ben Francisco has five hits in his last seven at-batsWilson Ramos has five hits in his last three games, including a pair of home runs and four RBIsDanny Espinosa has five knocks over the series first three contests, including back-to-back games with a homer.
Storylines
The Phillies are on a five-game losing streak, their longest of the season. A loss tonight would mean their first ever four-game sweep at the hands of the Nationals.
Sound off
On a scale of 1-10, how worried are you about the effect the Phils recent struggles might have on their playoff run?