Nationals turn to Hellickson to face the Cardinals

Washington Nationals (60–60) at St. Louis Cardinals (65–55)

RHP Jeremy Hellickson (5–2, 3.54) | LHP Austin Gomber (2–0, 3.45)

Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018 l 7:15 p.m. CT l Game #121 / Road #63

Busch Stadium l St. Louis, MO

Television: MASN 2 | 106.7 The Fan & Nationals Radio Network

HARPER’S HOMERS

Bryce Harper clubbed his 30th home run of the season on Tuesday night, a two-run shot in the eighth inning…His 30 homers are tied for second in the National League and are the most among National League outfielders…The 30 home runs this season are his most since his MVP season of 2015 when he hit 42…This marks the ninth 30-home run season in Nationals history (2005-pres.).

· Harper is hitting .329 (26-for-79) with six doubles, seven home runs, 20 RBI, 13 walks, three stolen bases and 19 runs scored in 23 games since returning from the All-Star break.

· His turnaround began on June 21, when he entered the day with a .209/.347/.462…Since that day, he is hitting .281/.429/.582…He ranks in the NL in OBP (2nd, .429), OPS (3rd, 1.010), runs (T3rd, 35), home runs (T7th, 11), doubles (T8th, 13) and SLG (8th, .582) during this stretch.

· Harper has hit safely in 11 of his last 14 games, posting multi-hit efforts in seven of the 14, while nine (5 2B, 10 HR) of his 18 hits have gone for extra bases…He has a .745 slugging percentage during this stretch.

MATT’S BAT

Over his last 11 games, Matt Wieters is hitting .300 (12-for-40) with two doubles, one homer, five RBI, five walk and five runs scored…He has hit safely in eight of the 11 games and has reached base safely in nine of the 11.

· While he was limited by an injury in the first half of the season (.205/.305/.325), he is hitting .250 (16-for-64) with a .329 OBP and a .359 SLG in 18 games since the All-Star break.

NO INHERITANCE TAX

Washington’s bullpen ranks second in the National League and third in Major League Baseball having allowed only 24% of inherited runners to score this season (35-for-146)…Individually, Wander Suero (0-for-15) is the only pitcher in MLB to inherit at least 15 runners without allowing any to score…Justin Miller has allowed just 15.8% (3-for-19), tied for ninth in the NL among relievers with at least 19 inherited runners.

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