The Philadelphia Phillies will open a crucial four-game homestand against the visiting Washington Nationals with a rookie right-hander on the mound.

Spencer Howard, one of the most prized prospects in the organization, will look to continue the Phillies’ recent surge in his fourth start of the season.

Though the Phillies fell 12-10 Sunday night to the Atlanta Braves, they rallied from a 10-0 deficit and still took two of three in the series.

Howard, who’s 0-1 with a 6.17 ERA, has yet to pitch more than 4 2/3 innings in any of his three starts.

He will be making his first start since Aug. 20 and he realizes that he must command all of his pitches to be successful.

“Probably some of it stems from not locating offspeed as well so these teams tend to gear more towards the fastball,” Howard said. “I’m just trying to get back to where I can have