Phillies go for sweep against first-place Nats

Aug 26, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Ben Revere (2) steals second in front of the tag attempt of Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond (20) during the eighth inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

A trip to Citizens Bank Park has been frustrating for the Washington Nationals so far as they have lost two of the first three games in a series against the Philadelphia Phillies by just one run.

Given the way Doug Fister has pitched recently, Washington may be able to avoid getting swept by its National League East rival.

Fister brings a 12-4 record and a 2.38 ERA into Wednesday’s matchup.  Though he’s not known as being a top of the rotation starter, Fister has picked up six wins in his last ten starts.  The righty has gone at least seven innings in seven of his last ten games.

On the road this season, Fister has a 2.60 ERA and has gone 1-1 against the Phillies.

Ben Revere has seen the most of anyone on the Philadelphia roster against Fister.  In 22 at bats the Phillies’ leadoff hitter has eight hits and two strikeouts.  Revere has 16 hits in his last ten games, but just one for extra bases.  He has just 17 extra-base hits in 2014, but is second in the National League in batting average.

Right-hander Kyle Kendrick (6-11, 4.93) will be on the mound for Philadelphia.  Kendrick is coming off a win over the St. Louis Cardinals, though it was not the most efficient outing as he need 96 pitches to get through 6.1 innings.  He allowed all four runs in a 5-4 victory.

The Phillies’ starter won’t have to sweat Bryce Harper, who is out of the lineup again.  Harper has at least one hit of every kind against Kendrick with a .360 average in 25 at bats.  Scott Hairston, 4-for-6 with a homer and three RBIs lifetime against Kendrick, is in left again.

Wil Nieves is batting seventh and catching in place of Carlos Ruiz.  He is hitless in three at bats against Fister.

Nationals lineup:

Span CF

Rendon 3B

Werth RF

LaRoche 1B

Desmond SS

Harper LF

Ramos C

Cabrera 2B

Fister P

Phillies lineup:

Revere CF

Rollins SS

Utley 2B

Howard 1B

Byrd RF

Brown LF

Nieves C

Asche 3B

Kendrick P