Three runs to kick of the first

Game Recap | Box Score

You know something is wrong in Phillies’ land when the third-place division rival Nationals sweep a team that was in first or second place all season. When you sit down within minutes of getting to the ballpark and Washington has already scored three-runs — all they will need to win the game — off of Aaron Nola, you know there is a problem.

While Nola — who is in the running for the NL Cy Young award — was dagged for three early runs, Stephen Strasburg pitched what was arguably his best start of 2018. While the Nationals sprinkled in two more runs to secure their win, they had locked the game down in the first.

Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman and Juan Soto all homered with Bryce hitting his 33rd of the season.

With the Nationals now playing at the level expected way too late into the season for it to matter, the Phillies collapse is poorly timed. September has been so bad for the Phillies, they could easily slip into 3rd place with a Nationals team that is finally healthy and playing solid baseball.

Reddit Perspective: Phillies | Nationals

— Warren Wilansky: Game #31 of 2018