Livan Hernandez stopped the red hot Philadelphia Phillies Friday night, and Washington looks to lefty John Lannan to duplicate that performance on the mound Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. Lannan (8-7, 3.56 ERA), will square off against Phillies veteran Roy Oswalt (4-7, 3.84 ERA), just one start removed from a six week trip to the disabled list. Lannan is just 1-10 in his career against Philadelphia, but that one win came in his last start, and he has been pitching well on the road of late, posting a 3-0 record and 2.19 ERA in his last six starts away from Nationals Park.
Offensively, Ryan Zimmerman had his 19-game hitting streak snapped Friday night, but the Washington third baseman has five hits in 12 career at bats against Oswalt, two of which have left the park. Even more impressive, Laynce Nix is 10 for 20 in his career against Oswalt, with three homers and three doubles. On the flip side, it should be pointed out Jayson Werth has struck out ten times in 18 at bats against Oswalt.
Early word is the Nationals will get Michael Morse back in the starting lineup Saturday night, where he will bat cleanup and play first base. Morse missed the series opener after suffering an elbow contusion Thursday night in a game against the Cubs.