Philadelphia Phillies looking to sweep Washington Nationals behind Cole Hamels

In a Sunday matinee, the Phillies will aim to sweep the 1st place Nationals and Nationals Park, with Cole Hamels toeing the rubber for Philly against Gio Gonzalez.

In yesterday’s ball game, the Phillies got a stellar start from A.J. Burnett, who went 7 strong innings giving up just 1 earned run and 6 hits, improving to 8-15 on the year. Washington’s Tanner Roark got the loss after giving up 3 runs through 6, while Ken Giles got hold number 9 and Jonathan Papelbon earned save number 35 as the Phillies won 3-1 to win the series.

Today, Cole Hamels will be on the mound, sporting an 8-6 record and an outstanding 2.50 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP. The big struggle for Hamels this year has been run support, so he will be hoping the offense can put together some production to aid the sweep of Washington. In his last outing, Cole got the win in the perfect game at Turner Field against the Braves on the 1st of September, pitching 6 innings of hitless ball before his pitch count forced him out. Through his last 10 starts, Cole Hamels is 5-1 with a 1.96 ERA.

Gio Gonzalez is the Phillies’ opponent today, a man who hasn’t quite matched what he achieved last season. Gio has a 7-9 record with a 3.89 ERA, and a 1.28 WHIP. His strikeout to walk ratio has really declined, with 135 strikeouts being contrasted by 53 walks issued. In his last outing however he did get the win, despite giving up 3 earned over 6 innings. Gonzalez is 1-5 in his last 10 starts with a 4.39 ERA dating back to the 10th of July.

Maikel Franco gets the start at third again for the Phillies, and through 8 MLB at-bats he has just 1 hit, coming Friday in the series opener against the Nats. He does have 2 RBIs however, and Ryne Sandberg seems happy to give Franco playing time despite wanting to win every game.

Darin Ruf starts at first base as Ryan Howard gets a rest. Ruf is hitting .271 on the season through 32 games after a hot stretch in his last 19 at-bats in which he collected 7 hits.

Jimmy Rollins will be hitting lead-off as Ben Revere is rested in place of Tony Gwynn Jr. Rollins has just one hit in his last 15 ABs, while Gwynn Jr. gets his first start since the 10th July, hitting .162 through 99 at-bats on the year.

Lineups 10/7

Phillies

Rollins SS, Sizemore LF, Ruiz C, Byrd RF, Ruf 1B, Franco 3B, Galvis 2B, Gwynn Jr. CF, Hamels P

Nationals

Span CF, Rendon 3B, Werth RF, LaRoche 1B, Desmond SS, Hairston LF, Cabrera 2B, Lobaton C, Gonzalez P