Series Preview: National at Phillies, 9/20-9/22

The Phillies (98-54), who have clinched the National League East division title and having locked down home field advantage throughout the playoffs, sit just 2 wins away from the century mark and 4 wins away from an all-time franchise record for wins in a season. With the division rival Nationals (72-79) coming in for a 4-game series, both marks are within reach before the Phils complete their regular season home schedule on Thursday.

Right-hander Kyle Kendrick will get things started in the series opener, as the teams will play a twin bill on Tuesday. The Nationals will counter with left-hander Ross Detwiler, who has struggled in his career against the Phillies.

In the night cap, Cy Young Award contender Cliff Lee will take the mound for Philadelphia, while Washington is slated to go with rookie Tommy Milone.

The Phillies have won 8 of 14 meetings against the Nationals to date this season.

Read ahead for more details on the pitching match ups as well as other key details from this series.

Tuesday, 1:05 PM. Ross Detwiler (2-5, 3.76 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick (8-6, 3.22 ERA). In 6 road games this season, Detwiler is 0-3 with a 4.10 ERA. Detwiler is 1-5 with a 4.34 ERA in his past 7 outings. In 5 career games against the Phillies, Detwiler is 0-3 with a 6.00 ERA. Kendrick is 2-3 with a 6.02 ERA in 12 career games against the Nats. In 9 games since the All-Star break, Kendrick is 4-2 with a 2.74 ERA. Ryan Zimmerman is 10-for-22 (.455 avg) with 7 doubles and a HR in his career against Kendrick.

Tuesday, 7:05 PM. Tommy Milone (1-0, 4.60 ERA) vs. Cliff Lee (16-7, 2.38 ERA). The rookie left-hander Milone will be making his 4th career big league start. In 24 starts for Triple-A Syracuse this season, Milone posted a 12-6 record with a 3.22 ERA. Lee has a 3-1 record with a 2.97 ERA in 4 career starts against the Nationals. In his last 9 starts, Lee is 7-0 with a 1.00 ERA.

Wednesday, 7:05 PM. Jon Lannan (9-13, 3.68 ERA) vs. Vance Worley (11-2, 2.85 ERA). In 16 career starts against the Phillies, Lannan has a 1-12 record with a 5.81 ERA and a .314 batting average against. Lannan has won just once in his last 8 outings. In 6 career starts at Citizens Bank Park, Lannan is 0-5 with a 7.40 ERA. In 11 home starts this season, Worley is 6-0 with a 2.01 ERA and a .195 batting average against.

Thursday, 7:05 PM. Brad Peacock (1-0, 1.42 ERA) vs. Roy Oswalt (8-9, 3.66 ERA). The righty rookie Peacock is slated to make his 2nd career start. Combined at two levels on the minors this year, Peacock went 15-3 with a 2.39 ERA while striking out 177 batters in 146 2/3 innings. In 9 home starts this season, Oswalt is 4-3 with a 3.38 ERA. Oswalt has posted a 7-4 record with a 2.95 ERA in 20 career games against the Nats. Opponents are batting .304 against Oswalt in 8 starts since the All-Star break.

In 5 games against the Phillies this year, Ryan Zimmerman is 8-for-19 (.421 avg). Zimmerman is a .235 career hitter in 43 games at Citizens Bank Park.

Michael Morse is a career .351 hitter in 29 games against the Phillies. In 15 September games, Morse has posted a .197 batting average.

Nats closer Drew Storen has a 7.71 ERA in 8 career games against the Phillies.

Ryan Howard, who has been resting his ailing right ankle, may return to the lineup on Thursday.

Shane Victorino has posted a .194 batting average in 18 September games. Victorino's OPS against lefty pitchers this year- 1.089. Victorino's OPS against righty pitchers this year- .809.

In 16 day games this season, Ryan Madson is 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA and is perfect in 6 save opportunities. Madson has allowed 6 earned runs in 1 2/3 innings (32.40 ERA) this season against the Nationals.

Nationals team batting average- .242.
Phillies team batting average- .252.
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