Nationals–Phillies rivalry

Nationals–Phillies rivalry

Washington Nationals Philadelphia Phillies
Location	Mid-Atlantic United States
First meeting	April 17, 1969 Connie Mack Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Expos 7, Phillies 0
Latest meeting	April 7, 2024 Nationals Park, Washington, D.C. Nationals 3, Phillies 2
Next meeting	May 7, 2024 Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Statistics
Meetings total	945
All-time series	Phillies, 490–453–2 (.520)
Regular season series	Phillies, 488–450–2 (.520)
Postseason results	Nationals, 3–2
Largest victory	Nationals, 15–1 (April 10, 2019) Phillies, 18–3 (June 2, 2002) & 19–4 (July 1, 2023)
Longest win streak	Nationals, 9 (May 30–August 31, 2016) Phillies, 12 (July 29, 2021–June 18, 2022)
Current win streak	Nationals, 1
Post-season history
1981 NL Division Series: Expos won, 3–2

The Nationals–Phillies rivalry is a Major League Baseball rivalry between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League East division. 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. 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.

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.

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. The Phillies took a close ten-inning victory in the first game of the series, clinching the division.

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. 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.

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. 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. Despite the turnaround to the season, the Expos finished the season 94–68, three games behind the Phillies, and missed the posteason.

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. 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 1999. 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. 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. 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. 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. Nationals management further banned ticket sales in Eastern Pennsylvania. 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. 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. After numerous reports had linked Harper to a $45 million annual contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he ultimately signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies, then the second-largest contract in major league history. 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.

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. The Nationals re-signed him to a seven-year, $245 million contract, setting a record for any contract signed by a pitcher in league history. Strasburg then repeatedly battled injury from 2020 to 2022. Meanwhile, the Phillies reached the 2022 World Series but fell to the Houston Astros.

Season-by-season results

Nationals vs. Phillies Season-by-Season Results
1960s (Expos, 11–7) Season Season series at Montreal Expos at Philadelphia Phillies Overall series Notes 1969 Expos 11–7 Phillies, 6–3 Expos, 8–1 Expos 11–7
1970s (Phillies, 90–88) Season Season series at Montreal Expos at Philadelphia Phillies Overall series Notes 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
1980s (Expos, 90–88–2) Season Season series at Montreal Expos at Philadelphia Phillies Overall series Notes 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) Season Season series at Montreal Expos at Philadelphia Phillies Overall series Notes 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) Season Season series at Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies Overall series Notes 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) Season Season series at Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies Overall series Notes 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, 45–19) Season Season series at Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies Overall series Notes 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 2024 Phillies 2–1 Phillies, 2–1 Upcoming, May 17 Phillies 490–453–2
Summary of Results Season Season series at Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies Notes Montreal Expos vs Philadelphia Phillies Phillies 304–291–2 Expos, 149–144 Phillies, 160–142–2 Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Phillies Phillies 184–159 Phillies, 88–87 Phillies, 96–72 Overall Regular season games Phillies 488–450–2 Nationals, 236–232 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 NLDS: 1981 Overall Regular season and postseason Phillies 490–453–2 Nationals, 238–232 Phillies, 258–215–2

See also

• Commanders–Eagles rivalry
• Capitals–Flyers rivalry