Nationals–Phillies rivalry
Washington Nationals
Philadelphia Phillies
LocationMid-Atlantic United States
First meetingApril 17, 1969
Connie Mack Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Expos 7, Phillies 0
Latest meetingAugust 20, 2023
Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
Nationals 4, Phillies 3
Next meetingApril 5, 2024
Nationals Park, Washington, D.C.
Statistics
Meetings total942[1]
Regular season seriesPhillies, 486–449–2 (.520)[2]
Postseason resultsNationals,[3] 3–2
Largest victoryNationals: 15–1 (2019)
Phillies: 19–4 (2023)
Longest win streak
  • Nationals, 9 (2016)
  • Phillies, 12 (2021–22)
Current win streakNationals, 1
Post-season history

The Nationals–Phillies rivalry is a Major League Baseball rivalry between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League East division.[4][5] The series was previously known as the Expos–Phillies rivalry when Nationals franchise was previously known as the Montreal Expos. The franchise relocated to Washington, D.C., in 2005.[6] The two teams clashed frequently for control of the division during much of the 1980s and 1990s. The first postseason matchup between the two teams occurred during the 1981 National League Division Series, resulting in the Expos winning the series 3–2. The rivalry regrew in intensity following the Expos' relocation and rebranding given the proximity of Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.[7][8][9][10]

History

Olympic Stadium (left), the former home of the Expos, Nationals Park (center), the home of the Nationals, and Citizens Bank Park (right), home of the Phillies.

1970s

The Phillies were one of the original franchises in the National League, having formed in 1883. The league added two new franchises in 1969, one of which franchises was the Montreal Expos. Both teams struggled during the earlier half of the 1970s, with the Phillies failing to post a winning record between 1969 and 1974. The Expos fared much worse, failing to post a winning record in their first nine seasons. The two began to competitively clash during the 1979 season as the Expos managed two consecutive series sweeps of the Phillies, taking control of the division headed into June. The Phillies slowly fell out of contention for the division lead as the sweep by the Expos culminated in a six-game losing streak for Philadelphia, ultimately placing them third in the NL East by the end of the month. Things continued to spiral out of control for the Phillies as they lost five critical series matchups against the Dodgers, Cardinals, and Cubs, bringing them down to fourth in the division. The Expos experienced further success headed into September, with a 10-game win streak, and they held the division lead until a four-game skid allowed the Pittsburgh Pirates to win the division.[11]

1980s

The Expos host the Phillies in Montreal during the 1986 season

The following season saw the two teams battle throughout the duration of the season, all the way down to the final week before the end of the regular season. The Expos hosted the Phillies for the final three games of the season at Olympic Stadium with both teams tied for first.[12] The Phillies took a close ten-inning victory in the first game of the series, clinching the division.[13][14]

The 1981 season started with the Phillies running away with the division lead headed into June, four wins ahead of Montreal. The season then ground to a halt on June 12 due to a players' strike. Following the strike, Major League Baseball split the season into two halves. The Phillies won the first half and the Expos the second.[15] The two teams then met in the divisional round resulting from the split-season format. The Expos won the first two games only to see the Phillies take games three and four. Game 5 saw Montreal prevail as Steve Rogers yielded six hits in a 3–0 Expos shutout victory.[16][17]

1990s

Despite a rough start to the decade for both teams, the two found themselves embroiled in a heated race for the division title during the 1993 season. Montreal struggled through much of May, including two four-game sweeps at the hands of the San Francisco Giants and St Louis Cardinals. The Phillies, meanwhile, took an eight-game lead.[18] Following the all-star break in July, Philadelphia stumbled, being swept by both the San Diego Padres and Houston Astros. The two teams met for their final matchup of the season with the Phillies leading by six games after the Expos endured a two-game series loss to the Houston Astros. During the first game in Montreal, Expos hearing-disabled rookie Curtis Pride doubled home two runners and scored on the following play during his first major league at-bat. After the game, Pride claimed he couldn't hear the ovation but he felt the vibration of the 45,757 Expos fans in attendance at Olympic Stadium.[19] Despite the turnaround to the season, the Expos finished the season 94–68, three games behind the Phillies, and missed the posteason.[20][21]

The following season, Montreal appeared to be on track to secure its first postseason berth since 1981, but the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike ended any chances of a postseason run.[22] The Expos then narrowly missed a divisional playoff berth in 1996. The Phillies also struggled near the end of the decade, failing to make the postseason from 1995 to 2001.

2000s

Both teams continued to struggle entering the new millennium, and budgetary issues began to severely affect the Expos' roster as several key stars were traded or lost to free agency. Philadelphia experienced a winning season in 2001, but missed a divisional berth by three games. 2002 and 2003 saw both teams struggle to appear in the postseason despite both managing several winning seasons but usually falling short as the Atlanta Braves often controlled much of the NL East.

Expos leave Montreal

Montreal's situation quickly devolved further in 2000. Budgetary issues heavily affected any free agency or postseason aspirations for the Expos after former owner Claude Brochu sold the team to American Businessman Jeffrey Loria in December of 1999.[23] Loria quickly damaged the team's relationship with the city and fans alike after demanding an increase in broadcast revenue and demanding a near-entirely public funded stadium in Downtown Montreal.[24] Loria's management critically damaged the team financially, forcing the league to take control of the franchise and eventually relocate the team to Washington, D.C., for the 2005 season as the Washington Nationals. The Phillies hosted the Nationals on Opening Day on April 4, 2005; two days later, the Nationals beat the Phillies 7–3 for their first regular-season win following their relocation.[25] The Nationals struggled for their first seven seasons in Washington, failing to appear in the postseason. The Phillies rebuilt their roster during the middle of the decade and won the 2008 World Series.

2010s

The Nationals host the Phillies on July 31, 2012
2015 National League MVP Bryce Harper opted to sign a massive contract with the Phillies in 2019, rejecting the Nationals' offers.

The Phillies attempted to capitalize on the success stemming from their 2008 World Series championship, but fell to the Yankees in the following year's World Series. The team stayed competitive, but fell short after an NLCS upset loss to the San Francisco Giants in 2010 and a divisional round loss to the St Louis Cardinals in 2011. Prior to the start of the 2012 campaign, the Nationals had endured several incidents of Philadelphia fans overtaking their home games during the series.[26] Nationals management created the "Take Back the Park" campaign to heavily market to fans in surrounding areas to restrict the amount of visiting Phillies fans.[27][28] Nationals management further banned ticket sales in Eastern Pennsylvania.[29][30][31] The campaign proved successful as Nationals' home attendance grew substantially as the team qualified for the postseason, clinching the division title after back-to-back defeats of the Phillies in their final series of the season.[32] The Nationals made four appearances in the divisional series between 2012 and 2017, but lost each time. Meanwhile, the Phillies did not post a winning season from 2012 to 2021.

Bryce Harper joins the Phillies

During the 2018 offseason, Nationals star right fielder (and 2015 National League MVP) Bryce Harper became a free agent. Harper had initially sought to renew his contract with Washington, but cited that he was displeased with the offers he received.[33][34] After numerous reports had linked Harper to a $45 million annual contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers,[35][36] he ultimately signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies, then the second-largest contract in major league history.[37][38] During his first press conference, Harper misspoke during his introductory speech, stating, "We want to bring a title back to D.C." Despite losing Harper, the Nationals won the 2019 World Series.[39][40][41]

2020s

Despite the championship in 2019, the Nationals' roster was decimated by injuries and poor signings the following year. Longtime pitcher (and 2019 World Series MVP) Stephen Strasburg opted out of the remaining four years left on his contract, becoming a free agent.[42] The Nationals re-signed him to a seven-year, $245 million contract,[43][44] setting a record for any contract signed by a pitcher in league history.[45] Strasburg then repeatedly battled injury from 2020 to 2022.[46] Meanwhile, the Phillies reached the 2022 World Series but fell to the Houston Astros.[47]

Season-by-season results

Nationals vs. Phillies Season-by-Season Results
1960s (Expos, 11–7)
SeasonSeason seriesat Montreal Exposat Philadelphia PhilliesOverall seriesNotes
1969 Expos 11–7 Phillies, 6–3 Expos, 8–1 Expos
11–7
1970s (Phillies, 90–88)
SeasonSeason seriesat Montreal Exposat Philadelphia PhilliesOverall seriesNotes
1970 Expos 11–7 Expos, 6–3 Expos, 5–4 Expos
22–14
1971 Phillies 12–6 Phillies, 6–3 Phillies, 6–3 Expos
28–26		 Phillies open Veterans Stadium
1972 Expos 10–6 Expos, 7–2 Phillies, 4–3 Expos
38–32
1973 Expos 13–5 Expos, 6–3 Expos, 7–2 Expos
51–37
1974 Expos 11–7 Expos, 6–3 Expos, 5–4 Expos
62–44
1975 Phillies 11–7 Phillies, 6–3 Phillies, 5–4 Expos
69–55
1976 Phillies 15–3 Phillies, 7–2 Phillies, 8–1 Expos
72–70
1977 Phillies 11–7 Phillies, 6–3 Phillies, 5–4 Phillies
81–79		 Expos open Olympic Stadium
1978 Tie 9–9 Expos, 5–3 Phillies, 6–4 Phillies
90–88
1979 Expos 11–7 Expos, 6–3 Expos, 5–4 Expos
99–97
1960s (Expos, 90–88–2)
SeasonSeason seriesat Montreal Exposat Philadelphia PhilliesOverall seriesNotes
1980 Tie 9–9 Phillies, 5–4 Expos, 5–4 Expos
108–106		 Phillies win 1980 World Series
1981 Expos 10–6 Expos, 7–0 Phillies, 6–3 Expos
115–110		 Strike-shortened season
1981 NLDS Montreal Expos 3–2 Expos, 2–0 Phillies, 2–1 Expos
118–112		 First meeting in the postseason. Expos win in five games. Expos proceed to lose NLCS.
1982 Phillies 10–8 Expos, 5–4 Phillies, 6–3 Expos
126–122
1983 Phillies 10–8–1 Expos, 5–4 Phillies, 6–3–1 Expos
134–132–1		 Phillies lose 1983 World Series
1984 Expos 11–7 Expos, 5–4 Expos, 6–3 Expos
145–139–1
1985 Phillies 10–8 Phillies, 5–4 Phillies, 5–4 Expos
153–149–1
1986 Phillies 10–8 Phillies, 6–3 Expos, 5–4 Expos
161–159–1
1987 Expos 10–8 Expos, 6–3 Phillies, 5–4 Expos
171–167–1
1988 Tie 9–9–1 Expos, 5–4 Phillies, 5–4–1 Expos
180–176–2
1989 Tie 9–9 Expos, 6–3 Phillies, 6–3 Expos
189–185–2
1990s (Phillies, 73–65)
SeasonSeason seriesat Montreal Exposat Philadelphia PhilliesOverall seriesNotes
1990 Expos 10–8 Expos, 6–3 Phillies, 5–4 Expos
199–193–2
1991 Phillies 14–4 Phillies, 6–1 Phillies, 8–3 Phillies
207–203–2
1992 Tie 9–9 Phillies, 6–3 Expos, 6–3 Phillies
216–212–2
1993 Phillies 7–6 Expos, 4–2 Phillies, 5–2 Phillies
223–218–2		 Phillies win 1993 World Series
1994 Expos 5–4 Phillies, 3–0 Expos, 5–1 Phillies
227–223–2		 Strike-shortened season. Strike cancels postseason.
MLB adds Wild Card, allowing for both teams to make the postseason in the same year.
1995 Expos 8–5 Expos, 4–2 Expos, 4–3 Phillies
232–231–2		 1994 realignment increases meetings from 12 to 13 meetings per year.
1996 Phillies 7–6 Phillies, 5–2 Expos, 4–2 Phillies
239–237–2
1997 Tie 6–6 Tie, 3–3 Tie, 3–3 Phillies
245–243–2		 Introduction of interleague play decreases meetings from 13 to 12.
1998 Phillies 7–5 Phillies, 4–2 Tie, 3–3 Phillies
252–248–2		 MLB changed to an unbalanced schedule in 1998 due to MLB's expansion and realignment, resulting in 12–13 meetings per year.
1999 Tie 6–6 Phillies, 4–2 Expos, 4–2 Phillies
258–254–2
2000s (Phillies, 107–73)
SeasonSeason seriesat Montreal Expos/Washington Nationalsat Philadelphia PhilliesOverall seriesNotes
2000 Phillies 7–5 Phillies, 4–2 Tie, 3–3 Phillies
265–259–2
2001 Phillies 10–9 Tie, 5–5 Phillies, 5–4 Phillies
275–268–2		 MLB changed to an unbalanced schedule in 2001, resulting in 19-20 meetings per year
2002 Expos 11–8 Expos, 6–3 Tie, 5–5 Phillies
283–279–2
2003 Phillies 11–8 Expos, 7–3 Phillies, 8–1 Phillies
294–287–2		 Expos play 22 home games at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico
2004 Phillies 12–7 Phillies, 5–4 Phillies, 7–3 Phillies
306–294–2		 Phillies open Citizens Bank Park
Expos play 21 home games at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico
2005 Phillies 11–8 Phillies, 6–3 Tie, 5–5 Phillies
317–302–2		 Expos relocate to Washington, D.C. and rebrand as the "Washington Nationals", playing at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
2006 Nationals 10–9 Nationals, 6–4 Phillies, 5–4 Phillies
326–312–2
2007 Phillies 12–6 Phillies, 6–3 Phillies, 6–3 Phillies
338–318–2
2008 Phillies 12–6 Phillies, 6–3 Phillies, 6–3 Phillies
350–324–2		 Nationals open Nationals Park
Phillies win 2008 World Series
2009 Phillies 15–3 Phillies, 7–2 Phillies, 8–1 Phillies
365–327–2		 Phillies lose 2009 World Series
2010s (Nationals, 107–80)
SeasonSeason seriesat Washington Nationalsat Philadelphia PhilliesOverall seriesNotes
2010 Phillies 12–6 Phillies, 5–4 Phillies, 7–2 Phillies
377–333–2
2011 Nationals 10–8 Nationals, 5–4 Nationals, 5–4 Phillies
385–343–2
2012 Tie 9–9 Nationals, 5–4 Phillies, 5–4 Phillies
394–352–2
2013 Nationals 11–8 Nationals, 7–2 Phillies, 6–4 Phillies
402–363–2		 Both AL and NL having balanced teams leads to a balanced schedule of 19 games per season.
2014 Phillies 10–9 Nationals, 6–4 Phillies, 6–3 Phillies
412–372–2
2015 Nationals 12–7 Nationals, 6–4 Nationals, 6–3 Phillies
419–384–2
2016 Nationals 14–5 Nationals, 6–4 Nationals, 8–1 Phillies
424–398–2
2017 Nationals 11–8 Nationals, 7–3 Phillies, 5–4 Phillies
432–409–2
2018 Nationals 11–8 Nationals, 5–4 Nationals, 6–4 Phillies
440–420–2
2019 Nationals 14–5 Nationals, 9–1 Nationals, 5–4 Phillies
445–434–2		 Nationals win 2019 World Series
2020s (Phillies, 43–18)
SeasonSeason seriesat Washington Nationalsat Philadelphia PhilliesOverall seriesNotes
2020 Phillies 7–3 Tie, 3–3 Phillies, 4–0 Phillies
452–437–2		 Season shortened to 60 games (with 10 meetings) due to COVID-19 pandemic.
2021 Phillies 13–6 Phillies, 9–1 Nationals, 5–4 Phillies
465–443–2
2022 Phillies 16–3 Phillies, 7–2 Phillies, 9–1 Phillies
481–446–2		 Phillies lose 2022 World Series
2023 Phillies 7–6 Tie, 3–3 Phillies, 4–3 Phillies
488–452–2		 Schedule structure modified this season to allow every team to play one series against every interleague team. Shortening meetings from 19 to 13 games
Summary of Results
SeasonSeason seriesat Washington Nationalsat Philadelphia PhilliesNotes
Montreal Expos vs Philadelphia Phillies Phillies 304–291–2 Expos, 149–144 Phillies, 160–142–2
Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Phillies Phillies 182–158 Tie, 86–86 Phillies, 96–72
Overall Regular season games Phillies 486–449–2 Nationals, 235–230 Phillies, 256–214–2
Postseason games Nationals 3–2 Nationals, 2–0 Phillies, 2–1
Postseason series Nationals 1–0 Nationals, 1–0 Phillies, 1–0
Overall Regular season and postseason Phillies 488–452–2 Nationals, 237–230 Phillies, 258–215–2

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Series records : Philadelphia Phillies(H) against Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals(A)".
  2. ↑ "Head-to-Head Records". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  3. 1 2 As the Expos
  4. ↑ "Nationals-Phillies Might Be the Best and Worst Rivalry in Major League Baseball".
  5. ↑ "Phillies, Nationals ready for rubber match in NL East rivalry".
  6. ↑ "Phillies top five rivals of all-time: Which teams are hated the most?".
  7. ↑ "A New Phillies Rivalry? Expansion? Realignment? Things Could Get Interesting In MLB".
  8. ↑ "Nationals 'Take Back the Park' Campaign Likely a Boon for Stubhub".
  9. ↑ "Washington Nationals Launch Initiative to Keep Phillies Fans Away".
  10. ↑ "Nationals vs. Phillies has become one of the best rivalries in baseball".
  11. ↑ "May 29-31, 1979: How 'Bout Them Expos? Sweep of Phillies makes a 'statement'".
  12. ↑ "Phils Beat Expos, Capture East".
  13. ↑ "SCHMIDT'S HOMER GIVES PHILLIES 1980 NL EAST TITLE".
  14. ↑ "October 5, 1980: Expos' Ron LeFlore becomes first player to win NL and AL stolen-base crowns".
  15. ↑ "September 21, 1981: Expos win 17-inning thriller over Phillies".
  16. ↑ "1981 Expos-Phillies NLDS recap".
  17. ↑ "Expos, Phillies meet for trip to 1981 NLCS on TSN".
  18. ↑ "The Surprise World Series Run Of The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies".
  19. ↑ "25 Most Unforgettable Pennant Race Moments in Philadelphia Phillies History".
  20. ↑ "National League Roundup: Expos Rally to beat Phillies".
  21. ↑ "September 17, 1993: Expos fans shower Curtis Pride with cheers after first hit".
  22. ↑ "Once Upon A Fractured Season: The 1994 Montreal Expos Lost More Than Just A Postseason".
  23. ↑ Keri, Jonah (2014). Up, Up and Away. Toronto: Random House Canada. ISBN 9780307361356.
  24. ↑ Smith, Curt (2001). Storied Stadiums. New York City: Carroll & Company. ISBN 0-7867-1187-6.
  25. ↑ "Nats Are Left Behind, Phillies Keep Going".
  26. ↑ "Nationals-Phillies: It's So on!".
  27. ↑ "Nationals launch 'Take Back the Park' campaign".
  28. ↑ "Washington Nationals Launch 'Take Back The Park' Campaign, Will Shut Out Phillies Fans".
  29. ↑ "Washington Nationals Launch "Take Back The Park" Campaign".
  30. ↑ "Afternoon Edition: Nationals "Take Back The Park" campaign finally put to the test".
  31. ↑ "Congrats Nats, We Have Contempt for You".
  32. ↑ "2012 Washington Nationals Schedule".
  33. ↑ "Phillies' Bryce Harper Was 'Hurt' by Nationals' Contract Offer in Free Agency".
  34. ↑ "Phillies And Nationals Get A Chance To Give A Rivalry Some Life Starting Next Week".
  35. ↑ "Bryce Harper Passed on Dodgers' record Offer for Long-Term Contract".
  36. ↑ "Bryce Harper Passed On Dodgers Offer Worth $45M Per Year, Other Lucrative Contracts".
  37. ↑ Zolecki, Todd (March 2, 2019). "Harper, Phils agree to 13-year deal". MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Bryce Harper, Phillies agree to record-breaking $330 million free agent deal". CBSSports.com. March 2, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2019.
  39. ↑ "Bryce Harper mistakenly said he wanted to bring a title to DC in his first Phillies press conference". MLB.com. March 2, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  40. ↑ "With one swing, Bryce Harper ignited a beautiful, new rivalry in Phillies - Nationals".
  41. ↑ "Bryce Harper singlehandedly started a huge Phillies-Nationals rivalry in one crazy night".
  42. ↑ "MLB hot stove: Nationals' Stephen Strasburg opts out of contract, becomes free agent, per report". November 3, 2019.
  43. ↑ "Nationals agree to terms with Stephen Strasburg". curlyw.mlblogs.com. Washington Nationals. December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  44. ↑ West, Jenna (December 9, 2019). "Stephen Strasburg and Nationals Agree to Seven-Year Deal". si.com. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  45. ↑ Davis, Scott (December 9, 2019). "Stephen Strasburg signed a record-setting $245 million deal, and some believe it means Gerrit Cole is about to be a $300 million pitcher". businessinsider.com. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  46. ↑ "Stephen Strasburg Rumors: Nationals Don't 'Have Any Disability Insurance on' Contract".
  47. ↑ Destiny Denied: Phillies’ Cinderella Run Falls Short of the Finish Line, Sports Illustrated, November 6, 2022
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