Phillies vs Nationals Preview: Deep Philly Rotation Faces Young Nationals

The Phillies roll into Nationals Park with one of baseball's deepest rotations. Cristopher Sánchez takes the mound Thursday night—the 2024 All-Star Dominican left-hander has been lights-out this season with a 2.6 ERA and just 0.95 WHIP. He's won three games and struck out 28 batters. Washington counters with Cade Cavalli, a young arm still finding his footing in the majors. This is a classic matchup: Philadelphia's proven ace versus a Nationals starter still building his resume. The Phillies trust their pitching depth to win these kinds of battles.

Philadelphia won Wednesday 5-4 in a wild ninth-inning finish. The Nationals jumped ahead early—homers by García Jr. and Vivas put Washington up 2-0. The Phillies chipped away. Then Derek Hill launched a go-ahead two-run shot in the ninth to seal it. Kyle Schwarber, the All-Star DH, came off the bench as a pinch hitter and drew a clutch walk that set up Hill's heroics. Schwarber dealt with back tightness but looks ready to return Thursday. The Nationals fought hard but couldn't hold on.

You're watching two teams heading in different directions. Philadelphia sits at 43-36 with a 6-4 record in their last ten games—they're rolling. Washington holds 41-39, also 6-4 lately, but struggling at home with a 17-23 record. The Nationals are still finding themselves as a young rebuilding squad. The Phillies' pitching-heavy approach has them believing they can compete for a championship. Series momentum matters. A Phillies win Thursday caps an impressive road trip. A Nationals victory keeps them alive heading into Friday.