Opposite dugout: Phillies firmly in NL East and wild card races

Record: 70-60

Last 10 games: 4-6

Who to watch: 3B Maikel Franco (22 HR, 66 RBIs), CF Odúbel Herrera (20 HR, 64 RBIs), 2B César Hernández (.259), LF Rhys Hoskins (26 HR, 81 RBIs), RF Nick Williams (17 HR, 49 RBIs), RHP Aaron Nola (15-3, 2.13 ERA), RHP Seranthony Domínguez (14 saves)

Season series vs. Nationals: 7-6

Pitching probables:

Aug. 27: RHP Stephen Strasburg (6-7) vs. RHP Zach Eflin (9-4), 7:05 p.m., MASN2
Aug. 28: RHP Max Scherzer (16-6) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (15-3), 7:05 p.m., MASN2
Aug. 29: LHP Gio Gonzalez (7-11) vs. RHP Jake Arrieta (9-9), 7:05 p.m., MASN2

Inside the Phillies:

The Phillies finally found their mojo yesterday in the series finale against the Blue Jays. Gabe Kapler's squad launched four homers in an 8-3 victory over Toronto prior to the crucial divisional matchup against the Nationals. Kapler will hope that the Nats squad his team faces will be comparable to that of the one that managed to go scoreless in four of its past five games, despite exploding for 15 runs yesterday afternoon in their series finale against the Mets. The Phillies are in second place in the National League East, three games behind the division-leading Braves, and have lost six of eight games. There are five weeks left in the season, plenty of time for the Phillies to overtake the Braves or push ahead in the wild card race.

Third baseman Maikel Franco celebrated his 26th birthday on Sunday with his 22nd homer of 2018. Odúbel Herrera hit a two-run homer in the Phillies' last contest against the Nationals on Thursday in the game's only scoring play. Left-fielder Rhys Hoskins helped start off the festivities yesterday against the Blue Jays, going 2-for-3, including a home run in his first at-bat of the game. Catcher Wilson Ramos has battled a wrist injury since returning to the active roster, but erupted for four hits, including a home run, in yesterday's win over the Blue Jays.

Zach Eflin allowed 10 hits and five runs in three innings last week in Philadelphia's matchup with the Nats. Eflin, who starts the series opener, has been struggling of late, indicated by his 5.59 ERA over his last seven starts (2-5). In 37 innings, the righty has given up 23 runs. Phillies ace Aaron Nola will get another matchup with Nats right-hander Max Scherzer Tuesday night after thr two squared off last week with the former coming up victorious. Nola gave up five hits in eight innings against the struggling Nationals. Righty Jake Arrieta gave up four runs in six innings in his last start against the Jays. The 32-year old Arrieta, who pitches Wednesday in the finale, picked up his ninth loss of the season in his last appearance despite maintaining a 3.37 ERA.

Closer Seranthony Domínguez pitched a perfect ninth inning yesterday in the finale against Toronto. Despite gathering 14 saves on the year, the rookie right-hander has blown three saves in his last eight games, sporting a 10.80 ERA over that span.