Philadelphia @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 1, 2012 ) Philadelphia 2, Washington 0

The Washington Nationals have clinched the National League East and the next task is earning the top record in the league. Washington is tied with the Cincinnati Reds for the best mark entering Tuesday’s game against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies, but holds the tiebreaker edge on the Reds. Philadelphia will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and needs to win one of its final two games for its 10th straight winning season.

The Nationals plan to start ace Gio Gonzalez to keep him on normal schedule for a probable Game 1 start in the postseason. Gonzalez leads the majors with 21 victories and is among the top candidates for the NL Cy Young Award. First baseman Adam LaRoche needs one RBI to reach 100 for the second time in his career. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (2006, 2009) and former Nationals outfielder Adam Dunn (2009-10) are the only Washington players to reach 100 RBIs. Philadelphia plans to use an all-relievers pitching alignment with B.J. Rosenberg opening the contest.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CS Philadelphia, MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH B.J. Rosenberg (1-2, 6.86 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (21-8, 2.89)

Rosenberg has pitched 21 innings in 21 appearances and has never started a major league game. He has pitched 3 1/3 hitless innings against Washington this season. The decision to pitch a bullpen game was made when Tyler Cloyd was shut down with a tired arm. Tyson Brummett was recalled Sunday and will pitch in Tuesday’s contest.

Gonzalez has been strong all season but is finishing with a flourish. He is 5-1 with a 1.35 ERA over his last six outings, allowing only 24 hits in 40 innings during the stretch. Gonzalez is 3-1 with a 2.52 ERA in four starts against the Phillies. He beat Philadelphia on Thursday when he allowed three runs and six hits in six innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Nationals C Kurt Suzuki is batting .393 with seven RBIs over his last eight games.

2. Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins (calf) missed the opener and also might be sidelined for the final two games.

3. Washington 2B Danny Espinosa is batting only .167 with no homers and one RBI in 16 games against Philadelphia this season.