Opposite dugout: Struggling Phillies can do little more than play spoiler

Manager: Pete Mackanin (2nd season)

Record: 60-70

Last 10 games: 4-6

Who to watch: CF Odubel Herrera (.281 with 13 HR, 42 RBIs, 19 SB), 3B Maikel Franco (22 HR, 72 RBIs), C Cameron Rupp (14 HR, 43 RBIs), 1B Tommy Joseph (17 HR, 34 RBIs), RHP Jerad Eickhoff (9-12, 3.87 ERA), RHP Jeanmar Gomez (3.02 ERA with 34 saves)

Season series vs. Nationals: 4-8

Pitching probables:

Aug. 29: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Jake Thompson, 7:05 p.m., MASN2
Aug. 30: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Jerad Eickhoff, 7:05 p.m., MASN2
Aug. 31: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. LHP Adam Morgan, 7:05 p.m., MASN2

Inside the Phillies:

The Phillies have no offense to speak of and are counting on a rotation populated by guys they hope develop into decent major league starters and veteran Jeremy Hellickson, who has proven to be an effective low-cost innings-eater. If not for the debacle that is the Braves, they'd be in last place in the National League East. But the Phillies, though playing out the string, are the kind of second division club that can be dangerous at this time of the year, so the Nationals had best beware on their final visit this season to the land of cheesesteaks and the Liberty Bell. There are plenty of examples in major league history of also-rans making life miserable for contenders at the end of the campaign. The Nats don't want to fall victim to overconfidence against an opponent whose entire roster is playing to make an impression for next year.

Center fielder Odubel Herrera, who was the Phillies' representative in the All-Star Game, is still around, though his role has changed. He's followed up a strong first half with a lackluster second half featuring a .252/.314/.378 slash line, and has found his playing time cut as manager Pete Mackinin tries to figure out if he's a usable piece for the future. Third baseman Maikel Franco, on the other hand, has cemented his position for next year and beyond by hitting 22 homers with 72 RBIs. First baseman Tommy Joseph's 17 homers in 78 games have pushed Ryan Howard to a bench role, and the recent trade of catcher Carlos Ruiz to the Dodgers means Howard is the sole survivor from the Phillies' 2008 World Series-winning roster. Catcher A.J. Ellis came over from L.A. to work with the young Phillies pitchers. Cameron Rupp, who has hit 14 homers, is still the starter behind the plate.

Right-hander Jake Thompson gets the ball for the series opener, and will be making his fifth major league start, his first against Washington. He's yet to log more than five innings, and allowed seven runs on eight hits - both career highs - over five frames in his last outing, Aug. 23 in Chicago against the White Sox. Righty Jerad Eickhoff, Tuesday's starter, has faced the Nats once in his brief career - last Sept. 25 in D.C. - and he got a win by allowing two runs on five hits over seven innings in a 10-strikeout performance. This season, he's pitched at least six innings in 17 of his 26 starts. But he's allowed 22 homers in 155 2/3 innings, so home runs have been an issue. Lefty Adam Morgan hasn't gone more than six innings since June 12, when he got a no-decision in 6 2/3 innings at Nationals Park, allowing three runs on five hits. He's 0-8 in his last 12 starts and hasn't won since beating the Braves at Turner Field on May 10.

One of the things about a rebuilding season is that it gives guys an opportunity to perform in roles they might not have been expected to succeed in. One such player is closer Jeanmar Gomez, who had one career save before taking over ninth-inning duties in April. All he's done is post 28 saves in 34 tries with a 3.02 ERA.