PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals arrive in Philadelphia one game under .500 with 31 games remaining. The deficit in the division race is 8 1/2 games. But the mood has to be somewhat upbeat after Sunday's 15-0 thumping of the Mets.
The Nats lost the series in New York, but bring their two best starting pitchers to the first two games of the series against the Phillies. The Nats trail the second-place Phillies by 5 1/2 games, having just taken a series from them last week in D.C.
The bad news from Sunday's finale in New York was Kelvin Herrera injuring his left lower leg. Manager Davey Martinez will have an update on his closer today. But if the injury is as significant as it looked, the Nats will likely reinstate reliever Ryan Madson to take his place on the roster.
Right-hander Stephen Strasburg (6-7, 4.23 ERA) gets the start tonight, opposed by Phillies right-hander Zach Elfin (9-4, 3.93). Eflin has allowed 16 hits and a .400 batting average in his last two starts against the Nats.
Update: Herrera suffered a torn Lisfranc ligament in his left foot. Normal recovery time for this type of injury is six to eight weeks, so manager Davey Martinez confirmed Herrera is likely done for the year. Madson has been reinstated to the active roster.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS at PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Where: Citizens Bank Ballpark
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 1500 AM, MLB.com
Weather: 88 degrees, mostly sunny, wind west-southwest 7 mph
NATIONALS
RF Adam Eaton
SS Trea Turner
CF Bryce Harper
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Juan Soto
1B Ryan Zimmerman
C Matt Wieters
2B Wilmer Difo
RHP Stephen Strasburg
PHILLIES
CF Roman Quinn
LF Rhys Hoskins
2B César Hernández
C Wilson Ramos
SS Asdrúbel Cabrera
1B Carlos Santana
3B Maikel Franco
RF Nick Williams
RHP Zach Eflin
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