Nationals at Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies have registered wins in four of their last five to ascend to the top of the congested National League East while the injury-riddled Washington Nationals have dropped off the pace. Bryce Harper and the Phillies will look to add to the Nationals' woes on Friday when the teams open a three-game series in Philadelphia.
Harper has yet to get untracked at Citizens Bank Park since signing a 13-year, $330 million contract in the offseason, going 0-for-10 in his last three games to see his home batting average fall to a paltry .169. The 2015 National League Most Valuable Player has taken it to his former team, however, going 6-for-16 with two homers and six RBIs in five contests. Washington won three of those meetings in early April, but had lost six of seven before scratching out a 2-1 win over red-hot St. Louis on Thursday. The victory didn't come without cost, as the team fired pitching coach Derek Lilliquist after the game and replaced him with minor league pitching coordinator Paul Menhart.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN (Washington) NBCS Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jeremy Hellickson (2-0, 5.82 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jerad Eickhoff (1-1, 2.12)
Hellickson will be making his third appearance this season versus his former team, having allowed two runs in a relief appearance on April 2 before scattering three hits over six scoreless innings eight days later. The 32-year-old hasn't fared as well in his last two starts, surrendering three homers, 11 runs and 15 hits in a pair of no-decisions. Jean Segura and Odubel Herrera are both 2-for-10 versus Hellickson while Rhys Hoskins is 0-for-6 against the hurler, who is 2-1 with a 2.18 ERA in four career appearances vs. the Phillies.
Eickhoff has pleased the fans at Citizen Banks Park by scattering five hits over 11 scoreless innings in two home starts this season, including a two-hit gem in a 4-0 win against Miami on Friday. The 28-year-old is getting back on track this season after making just one start in 2018 while dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome. Adam Eaton is 5-for-9 in his career against Eickhoff, who is 1-1 with a 2.88 ERA in four career meetings with Washington.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington 3B Howie Kendrick is 9-for-24 with three runs scored during his last six games.
2. Hoskins, who homered in Wednesday's 7-3 win over Detroit, is just 3-for-21 with five strikeouts against the Nationals this season.
3. Washington C Yan Gomes is 7-for-19 in his last seven games.