Roy Halladay: Philadelphia Phillies SP Looks to Continue Dominance Over the Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals (25-17) and Philadelphia Phillies (21-22) will continue a National League East series on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET

Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies SP Roy Halladay was 3-0 with a 3.21 ERA in four starts against the Washington Nationals last year

Washington has moved within a half-game of the first place Atlanta Braves in the NL East division, capturing a 2-1 road win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night. The Nationals have now won 12 of the last 15 meetings with the Phillies, which includes a 6-1 mark at this ball park. Outfielder Bryce Harper continues to develop in his first year in the big leagues, going 2-for-4 with a walk last night, while others are starting produce in the lineup as well. Ian Desmond is batting .346 with three home runs and eight RBI in the last 11 games. Washington is 7-2 against divisional foes this year.

Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmerman (2-4, 2.58 ERA) has alternated wins and losses over his last three starts, coming off a 5-3 home defeat to the Pittsburgh Pirates last time out, giving up four runs and seven hits over six frames. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 1.35 ERA in three road outings, issuing just a single walk and striking out 19 in 20 frames. In four career starts versus the Phillies, Zimmerman has registered an 0-3 record and 6.00 ERA, including a 9-3 setback at home on May 6. He allowed three runs and seven hits over six innings in that effort.

Philadelphia has now dropped three consecutive games to fall back under the .500 mark on the season, but the club still enjoys a tremendous home-field advantage with its 226th consecutive sellout on Monday. Third baseman Placido Polanco has been carrying the offense over the past 12 games, hitting .366 with a home run and four RBIs over that span, which could continue due to going 3 for 8 against Zimmerman in his career. Philadelphia is 4-9 at home when the total is 7 or less this season, with the “over” going 7-5 in those contests.

Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay (4-3, 3.22 ERA) led the club to a victory for the first time in six starts last time out, collecting an 8-7 road win over the Chicago Cubs, as he gave up three runs and seven hits over eight strong innings. The right-hander will enter with a 1-2 record and 2.57 ERA in four home starts, while not giving up a home run in 28 combined frames. In 16 career games (15 starts) against the Nationals, Halladay has tallied an incredible 11-1 record and 2.28 ERA, which includes perfect 3-0 mark and 3.21 ERA in four outings a year ago.