Phillies
Phillies, Hellickson seek series victory against Strasburg, Nationals
Published09 Apr 2017
By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
PHILADELPHIA — Following a 17-run offensive outburst, the Philadelphia Phillies look to take the rubber match against the Washington Nationals at 1:35 p.m. The Phils got a strong outing from Aaron Nola and this afternoon, they'll look to Jeremy Hellickson to shut down a normally potent Nationals offense.
Hellickson, 30, started for the Phillies on Opening Day and hurled five innings, allowing one run on six hits while striking out one and walking a batter. In four starts last season against the Nationals, Hellickson struggled, posting a 1-2 record to go along with a 5.09 ERA.
Meanwhile, Washington will look to rebound from an embarrassing loss with Stephen Strasburg on the hill. The 28-year-old right-hander tossed seven innings of one-run ball in his first start of the season against the Marlins during a 3-2 Nats win.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (2-3) | Washington Nationals (3-2) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Jeremy Hellickson | RHP | Stephen Strasburg | ||
| (2016: 1-0, 1.80 ERA) | (1-0, 2.57 ERA) | ||||
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (2-3) | Washington Nationals (3-2) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | CF | Adam Eaton | L |
| 2 | LF | Howie Kendrick | R | 2 | 3B | Anthony Rendon | L |
| 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 3 | RF | Bryce Harper | L |
| 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 4 | 2B | Daniel Murphy | L |
| 5 | RF | Michael Saunders | L | 5 | 1B | Adam Lind | L |
| 6 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R | 6 | LF | Jayson Werth | R |
| 7 | C | Andrew Knapp | S | 7 | SS | Stephen Drew | L |
| 8 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 8 | C | Jose Lobaton | S |
| 9 | P | Jeremy Hellickson | R | 9 | P | Stephen Strasburg | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 1:35 p.m.
- TV: CSN Philly
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies' 12-run first inning on Saturday was the biggest first inning in franchise history. Their previous record was 10.
- Prior to the Phillies 12-run first, they had scored 14 runs total in the first four games.
- Nationals starter Jeremy Guthrie has appeared in over 300 Major League games, but the Phils 12 spot raised his career ERA from 4.37 to 4.42.
- Hellickson only pitched five innings in his first start, but he hit the go-ahead triple to propel the Phillies to the win on Opening Day.
- In his career at Citizens Bank Park, Washington starter Stephen Strasburg has an impressive 1.22 ERA to go along with 53 strikeouts and just seven walks in 37 innings. He has a career ERA of 2.37 against the Phillies since his debut in 2010.
- Washington has won 13 of their last 15 against the Phillies.
What's Next:
- Monday, April 10, 2017: vs. New York Mets, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park
- RHP Jacob DeGrom (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Jerad Eickhoff (0-1, 2.70 ERA)
- TV: CSN Philly
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
