Opposite dugout: Rebuilding Phillies could pose a pesky problem

Manager: Pete Mackanin (4th season)

Record: 1-2

Last 10 games: 1-2

Who to watch: 3B Maikel Franco (25 HR, 88 RBIs), 2B César Hernández (.294/.371/.393 with 17 SB), CF Odúbel Herrera (.296 with 15 HR, 25 SB), 1B Tommy Joseph (21 HR), SS Freddy Galvis (21 HR), RHP Jeremy Hellickson (12-10, 3.71 ERA), RHP Jeanmar Gómez (43 saves)

Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (5-14 in 2016)

Pitching probables:

April 7: RHP Max Scherzer (20-7, 2.96 ERA) vs. RHP Vince Velasquez (8-6, 4.12 ERA), 3:05 p.m., MASN
April 8: RHP Jeremy Guthrie vs. RHP Aaron Nola (6-9, 4.78 ERA), 7:05 p.m., MASN2
April 9: RHP Stephen Strasburg (15-4, 3.60 ERA) vs. RHP Jeremy Hellickson (12-10, 3.71 ERA), 1:35 p.m., MASN2

* Note: Statistics from 2016

Inside the Phillies:

These aren't the same old Phillies, loaded down with weighty contracts and underperforming stars of yesteryear. Ryan Howard, the slugging first baseman who was the last connection to the 2008 World Series champs, is finally gone, proof that the Pfightins are fully immersed in a rebuilding phase under second-year general manager Matt Klentak. No one expects the Phillies to contend in the National League East this season, but they could make things a little uncomfortable for the teams at the top of the division. In other words, any team that doesn't manhandle the Phillies will point to their record against them as a reason for not reaching their goals. Last year, the Nats won 14 of the 19 games between the clubs, and they'd like to replicate that feat.

The Phillies possess some table-setters, with guys like second baseman César Hernández (.294/.371/.393) and center fielder Odúbel Herrera (.296, 25 stolen bases) getting on base in front of the big sticks. Third baseman Maikel Franco (25 homers) and first baseman Tommy Joseph (21 homers) won't make anyone forget about Mike Schmidt or Howard, but they are capable of doing some damage. The Phillies upgraded in the outfield, trading with the Dodgers for Howie Kendrick to play left field and signing free agent Michael Saunders, late of the Blue Jays, to man right field. Kendrick posted a .326 on-base mark with L.A. a year ago, though his value comes in veteran leadership. Saunders homered 24 times for Toronto, but slumped badly in the second half, when he hit .178, went deep eight times and drove in 15 runs. This was supposed to be the year that shortstop prospect J.P. Crawford pushed his way into the lineup, but he didn't dislodge Freddy Galvis, who hit a career-best 21 homers last year, in spring training.

Right-hander Vince Velasquez starts Friday night's series opener, and the Phillies hope he can be more consistent this season. He tailed off after going 8-2 with a 3.32 in the first half of 2016. Lifetime at home, Velasquez is 4-3 with a 2.8 ERA in 12 starts, and he's 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in one career outing against the Nationals. Saturday starter Aaron Nola struggled in his first full major league season, and was 0-3 with a 5.40 ERA in four starts against Washington last year. The Phillies think he'll develop into a pitcher who misses bats, and he's got 189 strikeouts in 188 2/3 career innings. Righty Jeremy Hellickson, who takes the hill for Sunday's season finale, is back in Philadelphia after accepting the team's $17.2 million qualifying offer in November. His 12 wins led the Phillies last season, and was 1-2 with a 5.09 ERA in four starts versus the Nats in 2016.

Not even a week into the season, the Phillies are already wondering if Jeanmar Gómez can remain as their closer. After saving 43 games last season, in his first tour as a ninth-inning arm, he's lost some velocity. If Gómez doesn't trot out to protect a late lead, expect hard-throwing righty Héctor Neris to get the call.