For the second straight week, the Nationals & Phillies will meet up for a three game series, but this time it will be in Philadelphia. The Nationals arrive in town fresh off a series win over the Metropolitans in New York, having won 2 of 3 games there. The Phillies will be making their 2010 home debut. Read ahead for information on the pitching match ups and other key statistics.
Monday, 3:05pm. Jason Marquis (1-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (0-1, 13.50 ERA). These two pitchers met last week in Washington, and the Phillies were victorious. Marquis has a 5-4 record with a 4.83 ERA in 20 career games against the Phils. Chase Utley is 10-for-21 (.476 avg) against Marquis in his career. Brian Schneider is just 1-for-21 (.048 avg) in his career against Marquis. Hamels is 8-3 with a 2.37 ERA in 16 career starts against the Nats. At home in his career, Hamels is 27-17 with a 3.43 ERA and a .232 batting avg. against. In 9 day starts last season, Hamels had a record of 0-6 with a 5.44 ERA.
Wednesday, 7:05pm. Craig Stammen (0-0, 7.20 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick (0-0, 11.25 ERA). Stammen allowed 4 runs in 5 innings pitched last week against the Phillies. In 10 career road starts, Stammen is 2-4 with a 4.31 ERA and a .284 batting avg. against. In 32 career games at Citizens Bank Park, Kendrick has a 14-6 record with a 4.24 ERA. Willie Harris is 5-for-12 (.417 avg) with a triple and 2 homers against Kendrick.
Thursday, 3:05pm. Garrett Mock (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. "Jay" Happ (1-0, 0.00 ERA). The righty Mock was a 3rd round draft selection by Arizona in 2004. In 11 games against the Phillies in his career, Mock is 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA. Mock has allowed 9 earned runs in 9 2/3 innings pitched at Citizens Bank Park. In 7 games against the Nats, Happ has a 3-0 record with a 2.19 ERA and a .182 batting avg. against. In 11 day games last season, Happ was 3-0 with a 3.02 ERA.
Placido Polanco's .481 batting average is currently 5th highest in the Major Leagues.
In 19 career games against the Nationals, Chad Durbin has a 2-1 record with a 2.77 ERA. Overall, opponents hit .220 against Durbin in 2009.
Injured Phillies closer Brad Lidge will make another rehab appearance for Clearwater on Monday.
Ryan Zimmerman is expected to miss the series opener on Monday with a hamstring injury, but could return by Wednesday for the second game of the series.
In 11 games against Philadelphia, Nats closer Matt Capps is 1-1 with 2 saves, 1 blown save and a 5.73 ERA. Ryan Howard against Capps is 2-for-2 with a double, a homer, a walk and 4 RBI. Jimmy Rollins is 0-for-6 with 1 walk against Capps.
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