Game 108 lineups: Nats vs. Phillies

There are players we know are going to be part of the Nationals' plan in 2022, and there are players we know are not going to be part of their plan in 2022. And then there are those who don't really fall into either category. They aren't necessarily building blocks for the future, but they also still serve a valuable function and could return next year to do the same.

Like Paolo Espino. At 34, he's hardly in position to be a long-term part of the Nationals rotation. But he's been really effective this year in a variety of roles, he makes the league minimum and he's nowhere close to free agency. So why wouldn't the Nats consider him for a job in 2022?

Espino can help his cause by finishing the season strong, and he'll take another step in that direction tonight when he starts against the Phillies, looking to snap his team's two-game losing streak. The journeyman probably figures to remain in the rotation the rest of the way, because the Nationals don't have five other starters who would take priority over him. So these are important starts for Espino.

The Nationals will be facing Chase Anderson, who enters with a 6.75 ERA and 1.523 WHIP across 44 innings this season. The right-hander has faced the Nats twice this season, giving up two runs in five innings in a May 11 win, then tossing two scoreless innings of relief in a July 27 loss.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 7:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Clear, 77 degrees, wind 10 mph in from right field

NATIONALS
CF Victor Robles
SS Alcides Escobar
RF Juan Soto
1B Josh Bell
LF Yadiel Hernandez
C Riley Adams
2B Luis García
3B Carter Kieboom
RHP Paolo Espino

PHILLIES
CF Travis Jankowksi
2B Jean Segura
RF Bryce Harper
1B Rhys Hoskins
SS Didi Gregorius
3B Alec Bohm
LF Odúbel Herrera
C Andrew Knapp
RHP Chase Anderson