Philadelphia @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Sep 28, 2010 ) Philadelphia 1, Washington 2
The Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals are both playing out the string.
The games are essentially meaningless in the standings, as neither club has much to gain by adding another check in the win column.
For their part, the Phillies (94-64) have wrapped up their fourth consecutive NL East title and the home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
As for the Nationals (68-90), they are assured of another last-place finish in the division - the fifth time in six years for the residents of the nation's capital.
With that said, Philadelphia has minor battles to address as it concludes its three-game series with Washington on Wednesday.
For example, manager Charlie Manuel has openly addressed the task of keeping his players sharp as they prepare for their National League Division Series, which begins next Wednesday.
Tired studs like first baseman Ryan Howard and second baseman Chase Utley are expected to see some time on the pine to rest up for the postseason.
The Phillies will also be without Placido Polanco - among others - for Wednesday's game. The veteran infielder will return to Philadelphia to have his left elbow examined. Polanco has been playing the majority of the season with swelling in that elbow.
And then there's the delicate issue of shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who went 1-for-3 in his return to the Phillies' starting lineup on Tuesday. The three-time All-Star, who had been hampered by a hamstring injury since Sept. 8, exited the contest in the fifth inning for precautionary reasons.
Rollins will walk the fine line of gaining playing time to work out the kinks, while also not overdoing it as more meaningful games loom on the horizon.
Making his last start of the regular season - and quite possibly the playoffs - is Joe Blanton (8-6, 4.94 ERA). The burly right-hander could be the odd-man out since the Phillies have secured an eight-day series in the NLDS, thereby allowing Manuel to opt for a three-man rotation of 21-game winner Roy Halladay, 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels and red-hot veteran Roy Oswalt.
Regardless, Blanton will need to remain sharp as he'll be expected to work out of the bullpen in the postseason. The 29-year-old Tennessee native hasn't lost since July 21 against the St. Louis Cardinals, claiming five victories over that span.
In his last start, Blanton allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings en route to a 3-2 triumph over the New York Mets on Friday.
Washington will counter with left-hander Ross Detwiler (1-2, 2.52 ERA), who is trying to secure a spot for next year's starting rotation.
With a pair of disabled list appearances plaguing his season, Detwiler did pitch well in his last outing. The 24-year-old Detwiler permitted two runs and seven hits in a season-high six innings as the Nationals recorded a 7-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Thursday.