The Philadelphia Phillies (94-66) will take the field for the penultimate game of their season on Saturday against the Washington Nationals (70-90) at Nationals Park.
After Friday's disaster of a start from Ranger Suárez, which led to a 9-1 loss, the Phillies' hopes of finishing in the top spot in the National League are all but gone. Sitting 2.0 games behind the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers, they'd have to win both games this weekend and have the Dodgers lose both of theirs. The odds aren't good. Likely to finish with the No. 2 seed, at least the Phillies have a first-round bye when the MLB playoffs begin and home-field advantage in the NLDS.
They'll send Zack Wheeler to the mound today for one last start this season. It will be his final push for consideration for the NL Cy Young Award that, unfortunately, looks like is the Atlanta Braves' Chris Sale's to lose.
Phillies vs. Nationals probable pitchers, September 28
Zack Wheeler (16-7) will start for the Phillies. The ace has a 2.56 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 31 starts. He has been dominant since the calendar flipped to August, going 6-2 with 10 straight quality starts and a 1.80 ERA and 0.85 WHIP.
MacKenzie Gore (10-12) will start for the Nationals. The 25-year-old left-hander has a 4.04 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 31 starts this season. Despite the uninspiring season-long numbers, Gore is on a hot stretch, posting a 1.82 ERA over his last six outings. The Phillies, however, roughed him up for five runs on nine hits in his last start before this recent hot streak began.
Philadelphia Phillies starting lineup, September 28
- 1. DH Kyle Schwarber
- 2. SS Trea Turner
- 3. 1B Bryce Harper
- 4. RF Nick Castellanos
- 5. 3B Alec Bohm
- 6. C J.T. Realmuto
- 7. 2B Bryson Stott
- 8. LF Weston Wilson
- 9. CF Brandon Marsh
Washington Nationals starting lineup, September 28
- 1. 2B Luis García Jr.
- 2. LF James Wood
- 3. C Keibert Ruiz
- 4. 3B José Tena
- 5. DH Juan Yepez
- 6. RF Dylan Crews
- 7. 1B Joey Gallo
- 8. CF Jacob Young
- 9. SS Nasim Nuñez
What channel is the Philadelphia Phillies game on today?
- Game time: 4:05 p.m. ET.
- NBCSP will have the Phillies broadcast.
- The Nationals broadcast will be on MASN.
- MLB Network will carry a national broadcast (out-of-market only).
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 and DC 87.7.