Philadelphia at Washington

What might be the biggest surprise in MLB this season is the fact that the Washington Nationals have the second best record in baseball as we head into the dog days. The next biggest surprise is the fact that this Philadelphia team is 14.5 games behind them in the National League East at 10 games under .500. The Nats have been bested in the first two in this series, but they have not been swept at home this year to any NL team - a testament of their excellent starting pitching. Cole Hamels was involved in trade rumors, but he remains a Philly, but has not been at his best recently. Over his last five starts Hamels sports a 4.15 ERA. Ross Detwiler, meanwhile, has been in and out of the rotation for Washington and in his 12 starts have surrendered more than 3 runs just twice. The Phillies are just 17-35 in their last 52 when posted as a dog, and Detwiler has delivered a 12-2 Nats’ mark in 14 starts within the division. Play on Washington.