clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Nationals' Sunday afternoon lineup: Bryce Harper sits vs Cole Hamels, Scott Hairston in

The Washington Nationals try to avoid getting swept by the Philadelphia Phillies again after dropping three straight in Citizens Bank Park last week and two of the first three games of this weekend's series. Cole Hamels vs Gio Gonzalez today...

By Patrick Reddington
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Cole Hamels is on the mound this afternoon in the nation's capital, so that means two things: Bryce Harper is sitting for the fourth straight time against the Philadelphia Phillies' lefty and Scott Hairston is in the lineup for the series finale in Nationals Park. Harper, who does have a .277/.348/.458 line vs LHPs this season in 93 plate appearances, and eight hits in 29 PAs vs Hamels in their respective careers, is sitting against the 30-year-old left-hander for the fourth straight game.

In left field for the Nationals this afternoon is Hairston, the 34-year-old pinch hitter and backup outfielder who enters play today 18 for 46 (.391/.440/.826) with five doubles and five home runs in 50 career PAs vs Hamels.

Today's Lineups

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Jimmy Rollins - SS Denard Span - CF
Grady Sizemore - LF Anthony Rendon - 3B
Carlos Ruiz - C Jayson Werth - RF
Marlon Byrd - RF Adam LaRoche - 1B
Darin Ruf - 1B Ian Desmond - SS
Maikel Franco - 3B Scott Hairston - LF
Freddy Galvis - 2B Asdrubal Cabrera - 2B
Tony Gwynn Jr. - CF Jose Lobaton - C
Cole Hamels - LHP Gio Gonzalez - LHP

In three starts vs the Nats this season, Hamels is (0-1) with a 2.57 ERA, five walks (2.14 BB/9) and 16 Ks (6.86 K/9) in 21 IP in which he's held Nats' hitters to a combined .205/.253/.308 line. In 31 career starts vs the Nationals, Hamels is (15-7) with a 2.58 ERA, 52 walks (2.28 BB/9) and 206 Ks (9.01 K/9) in 205 ⅔ IP, with a .220/.275/.338 line against the Phillies' NL East rivals.

Hamels will be trying to lead Philadelphia to its sixth straight win over the current division leaders.

Washington has lost seven of the last nine games with the Phillies, splitting a four-game set from July 31st-August 3rd in D.C. before dropping three straight in Citizens Bank Park last week and the first two games of this weekend's three game set.

On the mound for the Nationals this afternoon is 28-year-old lefty Gio Gonzalez, who is (0-2) with a 4.76 ERA, four walks (2.12 BB/9) and 13 Ks (6.88 K/9) in three starts and 17 IP against the Phillies this season, over which Philly hitters have put up a combined .277/.319/.477 line against him.

• Here's the Nationals' lineup for the series finale with the Phillies:

Game Time: 1:35 PM EDT.

More From Federal Baseball