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The Nats really should just avoid Philadelphia. Nothing good ever happens for them there. Star rookies get seriously hurt. The Phillies are always clinching division titles against them. Fans get hit with baseballs Nats players throw into the crowd and create all kinds of drama. Raul Ibanez hits roughly .800 in a three-game series, Ryan Howard crushes three homers, usually with a grand slam thrown in, and Jayson Werth and his delightful Jesus beard perform amazing feats of athleticism and skill.

The sad thing is, I’m not sure Sunday’s ninth-inning meltdown was anywhere near the low point for the Nats in Philly. But it was pretty spectacular all the same. Closer Drew Storen had a three-run lead and Washington had a chance to salvage at least one of the three games in that weekend series. And it was over in four batters as Storen recorded no outs and watched helplessly as Werth rip the game-winning homer into the stands in left as Citizens Bank Park went crazy.

What can you do? Until Washington’s youth movement produces enough quality players to match what the Phillies have they’ll just have to take their lumps. Tonight begins the final homestand of the season, a 10-game stretch against Houston, Atlanta and Philadelphia. Can the Nats make it to 70 wins? They need to win eight of their final 13 games to do so.  Here are the lineups.

Astros:

Bourgeois – CF

Keppinger – 2B

Pence – RF

Lee – 1B

Blum – SS

Johnson – 3B

Bogusevic – LF

Quintero – C

Norris – P

Nationals:

Espinosa – SS

Kennedy – 2B

Zimmerman – 3B

Dunn – 1B

Bernadina – CF

Morse – RF

Harris – LF

Ramos – C

Hernandez – P

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