Washington at Philadelphia

The Washington Nationals have opened up a 7.5 game lead in the NL East over Atlanta on the strength of a 15-4 run over their last 19 games. They were cooled off in the series opener with Philly prevailing 3-2. Most of the damage has been done at home where the Nats are 18 games over .500 but are just two games over .500 on the road after last night's loss. The Phillies have a decisive edge on the mound tonight behind Cole Hamels, who has not allowed more than 3 runs in a game since late May, and has pitched to an ERA of 2.53 on the season. Hamels has contained the Nats this season, pitching to a 1.93 ERA limiting them to a .160 team average against him. The Nationals are a brutal 18-41 as a road dog in their last 51. Play on Philly.