By Sam Bush
The Phillies are in Washington for a weekend series with the Nationals, who won the NL East last year and are picked to win it again this year.
The Phillies have steadied themselves since the early-season debacles that earned rookie manager Gabe Kapler boos at Citizen Bank Park within days of his debut.
At 17-13, the Phillies are trailing only the Braves and Mets in the division. They started strong by mixing a few prominent veterans with a predominantly young roster.
They are not offensively potent — they own the 22nd-best OPS in baseball and have the fourth-most strikeouts. Their starters have compiled the sixth-best ERA in the National League, though their bullpen has been among the game’s best.
Aaron Nola has been the ace of the staff, compiling a 2.17 ERA, but the Nationals will miss him this weekend.
Rhys Hoskins (above) remains the Phillies’ most dangerous hitter, and he leads them with a .955 OPS.
Center fielder Odubel Herrera has also bounced back well this season, hitting .333 with a .392 on-base percentage.
Veteran first baseman Carlos Santana, one of their biggest free agent signings, has yet to find his rhythm: He is hitting .151.
