John Lannan Makes Second Start Against Nationals In Series Opener

The Phillies are coming off of a must-win series victory over the Atlanta Braves this weekend. Despite getting whooped on Saturday, 13-4, the Phillies were able to rout their NL East rivals 7-3 yesterday. Jonathan Pettibone was solid through 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball en route to his fifth win of the year. With offensive support from Domonic Brown and Ben Revere, the Phillies moved to 7 1/2 games back in the NL East. Tonight they will open up a three-game series with the Washington Nationals, who are four games out in the division race behind Atlanta.  John Lannan (1-3, 5.15 ERA) will take on Dan Haren (4-9, 6.15 ERA) in a rematch from June 17th. The Phillies wound up winning that one with a Domonic Brown walkoff single.

John Lannan was knocked around his last time out. On Wednesday against the Pirates, Lannan was hit for four earned runs on 11 hits through five innings of work. Walking three and striking out five, Lannan was handed his third loss of the year. With a 4.76 ERA in his last three starts, Lannan will look to turn it around as he takes on his former team. He'll carry a 5.15 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP into tonight's start. Back on June 17th, Lannan held the Nats to two earned runs in five innings to get a no-decision.  

Dan Haren will be making his first start since coming off the DL with right shoulder inflammation. In his last start, back on June 22nd against Colorado, Haren left early after allowing six earned on seven hits through 3 1/3 innings for his 9th loss of the year. In his start prior to his last, against the Phillies, Haren was tagged for four earned runs in six innings. You can't necessarily blame Haren's bad outings on his shoulder, he carried a 4-8 record and a 5.86 ERA before headed to the DL. In his career, Haren owns an 0-3 record with a 5.82 ERA against the Phillies.

Game Notes: 

• Entering tonight's game the Phillies are 3 1/2 games behind the Nationals (2nd place) in the NL East. 
• The Phillies have the best record vs. the NL East (21-13) of any team in the division. 6-6 vs. WSH/ATL, 15-7 vs. NYM/MIA.
• Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche is 0-for-12 with five strikeouts lifetime against Lannan.

Phillies lineup:

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Jimmy Rollins SS
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Domonic Brown LF
5. Michael Young 3B
6. Delmon Young RF
7. Darin Ruf 1B
8. Carlos Ruiz C
9. John Lannan P.

Nationals lineup:

1. Denard Span CF
2. Ian Desmond SS
3. Bryce Harper LF
4. Ryan Zimmerman 3B
5. Jayson Werth RF
6. Adam LaRoche 1B
7. Anthony Rendon 2B
8. Wilson Ramos C
9. Dan Haren P.

First Pitch Forecast - 6 PM ET: Scattered T-Storms – 85°- 40% 

TV: CSN, ESPN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter.