The Philadelphia Phillies are gearing up for their second series against the Nationals, with MacKenzie Gore slated to start Game 1. History suggests a tough matchup for Philadelphia, particularly for Bryce Harper and his teammates who have previously fallen victim to the Washington pitcherâs sharp arm.
Itâs worth recalling their opening day series earlier this season when Gore took the mound and was dominant against the Philliesâ lineup, racking up an impressive 13 strikeouts. Despite Goreâs stellar performance, the visiting Phillies ultimately secured a 7-3 victory.
That game, however, marked one of the few occasions this season where Bryce Harper struck out twice. While Gore effectively contained him for the initial six innings, Harper still managed to drive in two runs during the contest.
MacKenzie Goreâs Early Dominance Stifled Harperâs Phillies
The first six innings of the opening day clash between the Nationals and Phillies proved to be a headache for the entire Philadelphia squad. They were held scoreless during that stretch, and when Gore exited the mound, the home team held a tight 1-0 lead. It wasnât until the bottom of the seventh inning that Bryce Harper finally broke through, scoring with a solo home run.
WASHINGTON, DC â MARCH 27: MacKenzie Gore #1 of the Washington Nationals throws a pitch in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on Opening Day at Nationals Park on March 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
Gore was electric in his outing, not only racking up an impressive 13 strikeouts but also issuing zero walks. He allowed just one hit in the 18 batters he faced. The Nationalsâ pitching staff as a whole tallied 19 strikeouts in the game. This performance left many observers noting potential issues with the Philliesâ approach at the plate.
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Phillies Need Plate Discipline
While the Phillies ultimately secured a victory in that initial matchup against Gore, itâs undeniable that he pitched with remarkable efficiency. He not only struck out Harper twice but also fanned Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto, Max Kepler, Nick Castellanos, Bryson Stott, Brandon Marsh, Kyle Schwarber, and Alec Bohm â showing no mercy to the Philadelphia lineup. Moving forward, the Phillies will need to exhibit greater patience at the plate and focus on a disciplined defensive effort.
