If the Phillies (3-0) opening series against the Atlanta Braves felt like playoff baseball due to the excitement, Tuesday night might feel like the World Series.
Ok, that might be a stretch, but there is no denying that the Phillies trip to Washington to face the Nationals (1-2) is going to be anything but ordinary. Not only will it be a two-game series between two teams expecting to compete for a World Series and win their division, but it will — perhaps more importantly — be the return of Bryce Harper to Washington for the first time since he signed a 13-year deal to come to Philadelphia.
The Nationals have not had the hot start the Phillies have, as they stand just 1-2 and allowed a whopping 18 runs to the New York Mets in their opening series. They have 25 hits in three games, which is actually more than the 21 the Phillies have, but Phillies have 20 walks while the Nationals have just five.
Here is a preview of Tuesday night's game against the Nationals:
Bryce comes back:
One thing was very clear in a published in the Washington Post on Monday — Harper wanted to go back to the Nationals, and for a large part of the offseason, thought it would happen. It was the Nationals that offered him a deal far below market value, with the majority of the money not going to Harper until he was long done playing.
That might be the reality, but that won't matter on Tuesday night, when Harper is sure to be met with a chorus of boo's and signs depicting him in a less-than-friendly light by Nationals' fans. It will be very interesting to see how Harper, who is known for playing with a ton of emotion, handles the moment.
Pitching:
Zach Eflin, Phillies: After sending their top three to the mound against the Atlanta Braves, the Phillies will now turn to Zach Eflin, who had an ERA of 4.36 and a FIP of 3.80 in 2018. Eflin averaged 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings last season, but had a WHIP of 1.305, third on the Phillies in 2018. Eflin allowed 12 runs in three starts against the Nationals last season, which is not a promising sign of things to come on Tuesday.
Max Scherzer, Nationals: The Phillies' new lineup might have never faced Scherzer as a unit, but individually, they have struggled mightily against the ace. Scherzer has never faced Harper, but he faced Rhys Hoskins 12 times, not allowing a single hit and striking him out seven times. J.T. Realmuto has faced Scherzer more than any other pitcher in his career, going to the plate against him 37 times with just three hits, one home run and 11 strike outs. Scherzer allowed two runs in 7.2 innings pitched in his season debut.
Nationals' Player to watch: Juan Soto
When the Nationals decided not to give Harper a blank check, their resistance was in large part due to the fact they had Juan Soto ready to fill in for him. Soto had a breakout year for the Nationals in 2018, finishing with an OPS of .923 in 116 games, hitting 22 home runs and knocking in 70. Soto has gone to the plate eight times vs. Eflin, knocking in four hits, two runs and striking out just twice.
Phillies' player to watch: Odubel Herrera
The bottom of the Phillies' lineup has been extremely impressive so far this season. The team might need them to carry the load on Tuesday, and if they do, Herrera has the best chance of getting the job done. Herrera has the best track record against Scherzer of any hitter on the team, as he has 15 hits in 47 plate appearances against the ace with two home runs and five RBIs.
You can listen to the big game on 94WIP, with first pitch at 7:05 p.m.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
