Nationals at Phillies (Game 1)
The Washington Nationals are enduring a remarkable run of weather-related issues, the latest of which forced the postponement of a series opener at Philadelphia due to lousy infield conditions. The teams will allow the grounds crew to get to work before taking part in a doubleheader Tuesday to begin a three-game set.
The tarp at Citizens Bank Park was not down for the entirety of a rainy weekend in Philadelphia and the infield dirt was left in unplayable conditions Monday, prompting the third postponement in five days for the Nationals, who also may need to move a home game with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday due to Hurricane Florence. More rain is in the forecast for Tuesday but if and when the teams are able to play it is expected to still be Washington's Erick Fedde against Jake Arrieta in the opener and Tanner Roark for the visitors versus Nick Pivetta in the nightcap. The Phillies are trying to snap a string of seven straight series losses, two of which came at the hands of Washington, which took two of three from its National League East rivals twice last month. Philadelphia sits 4 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta in the division and five games out in the race for the second wild-card in the NL.
TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), NBCS Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Erick Fedde (1-3, 6.00 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (10-9, 3.61)
Fedde will be making his second start since being recalled earlier in the month. He gave up four runs in five innings during a no-decision against St. Louis last Tuesday, striking out a season-high seven. The Las Vegas native went 1-1 with a 6.55 ERA in back-to-back starts against the Phillies in June.
Arrieta gave up exactly four runs for the third straight time last Tuesday at Miami, but he lasted 7 1/3 innings and struck out 11 while picking up his first win since July 31. His prior outing saw him last just three frames against the Nationals while tying season highs with three walks and two home runs allowed. The former Cy Young Award winner has had his issues with veteran slugger Mark Reynolds, who is 9-for-22 with a home run against Arrieta.
WALK-OFFS
1. Phillies 1B Carlos Santana has four home runs and nine RBIs during an 11-game hitting streak.
2. Harper has 12 walks, two home runs, two doubles and seven RBIs over his last six games.
3. Philadelphia LF Rhys Hoskins has homered in three straight games.