The Washington Nationals head into Nationals Vs Phillies as a team still trying to settle itself after the MLB Trade Deadline, and the timing matters. They are 3.0 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies, which means this series in Philadelphia is more than just an early look at life after the deadline.
A week or two ago, the Nationals were less short-handed than they are now, and the strain has started to show. The offense has begun to feel the effect of those roster changes, which makes this trip all the more significant as Washington looks for a response against a division rival sitting within reach in the NL standings.
Phillies in Philadelphia set the tone
In the series opener, LHP Cristopher Sanchez is listed to pitch for the Phillies, while LHP Foster Griffin is listed to pitch for the Nationals. That gives Washington an immediate challenge, especially with Philadelphia still in a Wild Card position despite having cooled off recently.
For the Nationals, the matchup offers a clean chance to measure where they are after the deadline. They may be dealing with the fallout of losing depth, but they are also walking into a series that could affect the standings if they can take advantage of Philadelphia's recent dip.
Foster Griffin gets an important assignment
Whether Foster Griffin remains in place after the deadline is still a live question, but for now he is lined up for a potentially important start. That alone tells you where Washington are at: short on certainty, but still with a clear opportunity to make the opening game count.
The Phillies, for their part, are not exactly arriving in dominant form. But a team can cool off and still be dangerous, particularly at home and with a strong starter like Cristopher Sanchez on the mound.
That leaves the Nationals with a straightforward task. They need to show that the changes around them have not knocked them off course entirely. If they can compete well in Philadelphia, the series could become a useful early marker for how they handle the next stage of the season.
