Marquee pitching matchup between Strasburg and Hamels (with lineups)

By Josh Land

Nationals

May 23, 2015, 10:05am

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The Nationals enter this afternoon's contest against the Phillies as winners of 18 of their past 22 games dating back to April 28. Over the torrid stretch, the Nats are leading the majors in runs (138), runs per game (6.27), batting average (.299), on-base percentage (.366) and slugging percentage (.485). The 18-4 marks also ties the best 22-game record in Nationals' history (2005-present).

Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels and Nationals righty Stephen Strasburg are featured in a marquee pitching matchup today. It's the fifth time the two will face one another in their careers with their clubs each taking a pair. In the four outings, Strasburg is 2-0 with a 1.03 ERA, 38 strikeouts and only five walks in 26 2/3 innings pitched.

"Given the Phillies lineup and all of their lefties, it's especially important for Stras to have fastball command today," Nationals manager Matt Williams said. "Fastball command certainly opens up everything else for him and (with) all the lefties, the changeup is something that he can use if he establishes his fastball early where he wants to throw it. So I just want him to be aggressive, and that's in his nature anyway."

For the Phillies:

LF Ben Revere
SS Cesar Hernandez
2B Chase Utley
1B Ryan Howard
3B Maikel Franco
RF Grady Sizemore
CF Odubel Herrera
C Carlos Ruiz
LHP Cole Hamels

For the Nationals:

CF Denard Span
SS Ian Desmond
3B Yunel Escobar
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
C Wilson Ramos
2B Dan Uggla
LF Michael A. Taylor
RHP Stephen Strasburg