Opposite dugout: Series against Nationals looms large for fading Phillies' playoff chances

Record: 74-68

Last 10 games: 3-7

Who to watch: 3B Maikel Franco (22 HR, 66 RBIs), CF Odúbel Herrera (21 HR, 65 RBIs), 2B César Hernández (.258), LF Rhys Hoskins (30 HR, 88 RBIs), RF Nick Williams (17 HR, 50 RBIs), RHP Aaron Nola (16-4, 2.29 ERA), RHP Seranthony Domínguez (14 saves)

Season series vs. Nationals: 8-8

Pitching probables:

Sept. 10: RHP Erick Fedde (1-3) vs. RHP Jake Arrieta (10-9). 7:05 p.m., MASN
Sept. 11: RHP Tanner Roark (8-15) vs. RHP Nick Pivetta (7-11), 7:05 p.m., MASN
Sept. 12: RHP Stephen Strasburg (7-7) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (16-4), 7:05 p.m., MASN

Inside the Phillies:

Gabe Kapler's squad has struggled immensely of late. The Phillies haven't won a series since early August where they managed to sweep Miami. In a hotly contested National League East race, the Phillies are currently 4 1/2 games behind the Braves, and have a 3 1/2-game lead on the third-place Nationals. In the last matchup between the division rivals late last month, it was the Nationals winning two of three games at Citizens Bank Park. Since Aug. 18, the Phillies sport the NL's worst record at 6-14.

A bright spot for Kapler in the midst of the Phillies' slump is the play of his star left fielder Rhys Hoskins. Hoskins' two-run homer in the first inning of yesterday's series finale against the Mets was brought his longball streak up to three games. The 25-year-old slugger will try to motivate the rest of his clubhouse into salvaging what was a truly remarkable season. Kapler will hope to see a late-season resurgence from third baseman Maikel Franco. Franco went 0-for-1 Sunday in the Phillies' 6-4 loss to the Mets in their series finale. Ahead of Sunday's game, he had missed the prior six matchups due to rehabbing from a nagging wrist injury. Center fielder Odúbel Herrera's late-season struggles continued into yesterday's finale in Flushing. Herrera went 0-for-3, lowering his average to .261 on the season.

In his last start in the victory against the Marlins on Sept. 4, right-hander Jake Arrieta fanned 11 batters, his season high. Arrieta gave up four runs on eight hits in just over seven innings. Arrieta, who starts the series opener tonight, picked up his first win since late July. Tuesday starter Nick Pivetta was dealt his 11th loss on the 2018 season in his last start Sept. 5 in the Phillies' 2-1 loss to the Marlins. Pivetta allowed two runs on three hits in just over four innings, raising his ERA on the season to 4.66. Cy Young candidate and Phillies ace Aaron Nola will take the mound for the series finale against Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg on Wednesday. Nola allowed just three runs in has last start on Sept. 7 in the Phillies' only victory of their three-game series against the Mets. Nola allowed three hits and only one walk in seven innings while striking out eight.

The Phillies will hope closer Seranthony Domínguez continues to rebound after blowing three saves and taking two losses in six appearances from Aug 5-25. Since then, the right-hander has posted a 4.26 ERA in six games, but he hasn't recorded a save since Aug. 16.