Opposite dugout: Phillies starting to fade after hot start

Manager: Pete Mackanin (2nd season)

Record: 29-31

Last 10 games: 3-7

Who to watch: CF Odubel Herrera (.318/.422/.431), 3B Maikel Franco (10 HR, 32 RBIs), SS Freddy Galvis (6 HR, 22 RBIs), RHP Aaron Nola (5-4, 2.65 ERA), RHP Jeanmar Gomez (2.61 ERA with 19 saves)

Season series vs. Nationals: 4-5

Pitching probables:

June 10: RHP Jeremy Hellickson vs. RHP Stephen Strasburg, 7:05 p.m., MASN
June 11: RHP Aaron Nola vs. RHP Tanner Roark, 12:05 p.m., MASN
June 12: LHP Adam Morgan vs. RHP Joe Ross, 4:05 p.m., MASN2

Inside the Phillies:

Based on the way the Nationals and Phillies have played each other so far this season, we should expect a sweep by the Phils at Nats Park this weekend. The two teams have traded three-game sweeps at opposing ballparks the last two times they've squared off, with the Nationals just a Jonathan Pabelbon blown save away from taking all three in Philly in the very first series of the season. But of course, that's not how baseball works and the games must be played.

The hot-start Phillies came into the last series against the Nationals two games above .500 and as one of the more surprising stories to the young season. They come into this series two games below .500 and regressing to the bottom of the National League East. At one point in the middle of May, the Phils were just a half-game out of first place. But now they are seven games out of first, although no thanks to the Nats coming off a 6-3 road trip, which included a three-game sweep at Citizens Bank Park.

Most of the young stars have regressed to the mean after a strong first two months, but not center fielder Odubel Herrera. His .318 average is ninth-best in the NL, with a .422 on-base percentage and .431 slugging percentage to complete his slash line. Second baseman Cesar Hernandez has the next-best average among qualified Phillies players at .251, but there's not much else worth noting stat-wise. Meanwhile, third baseman Maikel Franco is only batting .247, but leads the team with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs. Shortstop Freddy Galvis has knocked six homers and 22 RBIs, but is only sporting a .230 average.

Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson starts tonight for the Phillies, bringing his 4-3 record and 3.80 ERA to '80s night at Nats Park tonight. He pitched well against the Nationals last week in Philly, going seven innings and giving up just one run on three hits while walking none and striking out eight. But the Nats' three-run eighth inning robbed Hellickson of the win, putting him at 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA in three starts against them this season. Righty Aaron Nola gets the ball for Saturday's matinee. He has traded wins and loses over his last five starts, going 3-2 and putting him at 5-4 with a 2.65 ERA on the season. In his start against the Nationals last week, he gave up longballs to Jayson Werth and Daniel Murphy in a loss, making him 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in three starts against the D.C. club in 2016. Adam Morgan is the only lefty going for the Phillies this weekend, starting Sunday's late-afternoon game. The 26-year-old has lost five starts in a row for a 1-5 record and 6.70 ERA. He gave up six runs on nine hits over six innings in his only career start against the Nationals last week.

Note the unusual start times for Saturday and Sunday's games. The Nationals are holding their annual gala Saturday night, which is why the game starts at noon. Sunday's late afternoon game comes at a special request to Major League Baseball in order for the players to get extra rest after a night of festivities.