The Philadelphia Phillies (32-14) didn't let their one loss to the Mets keep them down for long. Ace Zack Wheeler helped make sure of that. The NL East-leading Phils beat the visiting Washington Nationals (20-23) 4-2 on Friday night. They'll square off for the second game of their three-game set on Saturday evening.
With a blistering fastball, Wheeler bounced back in a big way from his subpar outing last weekend in Miami with a 7 1/3-inning gem against an overmatched Nationals lineup. He allowed two runs on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts. José Alvarado got the final two outs in the eighth, and Jeff Hoffman notched his third save with a one-hit ninth.
The Phillies bats scored all their runs in the first three innings, with Brandon Marsh, Bryson Stott and Kyle Schwarber all driving in a run. That was all the offense they needed to cash their 17th win in their last 21 games and their MLB-best 32nd win of the season.
Phillies vs. Nationals probable pitchers, May 18
- Cristopher Sánchez (2-3) will start for the Phillies today. He comes in with a 3.43 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 42 innings across eight starts. The lefty took a no decision through 5 2/3 innings against the Mets on Monday, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks. The free passes have been a problem again this season for Sánchez, whose walk rate has jumped back up to 9.7 percent after he seemingly fixed his command issue last season.
- MacKenzie Gore (2-4) and his 3.38 ERA will counter for the Nationals. The left-hander has had some impressive starts this season. He struck out nine Red Sox batters in his last outing, in which he gave up three runs (two earned) in six innings but was undone by his own team's mistakes. Gore picked up his first win of the season against the Phillies in early April, going 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with six strikeouts.
Philadelphia Phillies starting lineup, May 18
- 1. DH Kyle Schwarber
- 2. C J.T. Realmuto
- 3. 1B Bryce Harper
- 4. 3B Alec Bohm
- 5. 2B Bryson Stott
- 6. RF Nick Castellanos
- 7. SS Edmundo Sosa
- 8. LF Cristian Pache
- 9. CF Johan Rojas
Washington Nationals starting lineup, May 18
- 1. SS CJ Abrams
- 2. 2B Ildemaro Vargas
- 3. DH Joey Meneses
- 4. 3B Nick Senzel
- 5. C Riley Adams
- 6. 1B Joey Gallo
- 7. RF Victor Robles
- 8. LF Jesse Winker
- 9. CF Jacob Young
What channel is the Philadelphia Phillies game on today?
- Game time: 6:05 p.m. ET.
- NBCSP will have the Phillies broadcast.
- The Nationals broadcast will be on MASN.
How do I stream the Philadelphia Phillies game today?
How can I listen to the Philadelphia Phillies game today?
- The Phillies broadcast will be on 94 WIP and WTTM 1680.
- Nationals fans can tune into the game on 106.7 The Fan, DC 87.7 and La Pantera 100.7 FM/1220 AM.