The Phillies, who are three games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National

The Philadelphia Phillies start a six-game homestand Monday night Justin Smoak Jersey , hoping to put a rough stretch behind them and close the gap in two playoff races. League East and two games back for the second NL wild-card spot, begin a three-game series against the Washington Nationals on Monday. The teams met for three games in Washington last week.Stephen Strasburg (6-7, 4.23 ERA) opposes Zach Eflin (9-4, 3.93) on Monday night in a repeat pitching matchup from the Nationals-Phillies game last Wednesday.Article continues below ...The Phillies (70-60) lost that series to the Nationals last week, and they have not won a series since sweeping the Miami Marlins in early August. Philadelphia has lost six of its last eight games and 12 of 19.However, the Phillies were 8-3 winners over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday and clubbed four home runs. That included the 22nd homer of the season from third baseman Maikel Franco. One of those 22 long balls for Franco came last week against Strasburg, a pitcher Franco has hit well in his career. Against the Nationals right-hander, Franco is batting .318 with two homers and a .966 OPS in 22 at-bats.Franco’s homer was one of two Strasburg surrendered last week in his first start in more than a month. Strasburg, who was on the disabled list with a neck injury, gave up five runs and seven hits and struck out seven in four innings.“It’s a work in progress,” Strasburg told reporters after the outing. “I obviously missed a while, so I’ll learn some things from (this start) and take it into the next one.” Strasburg, who also missed time this season because of shoulder inflammation http://www.bluejaysfanproshop.com/authentic-curtis-granderson-jersey , will make his 16th start of the year. He had a 3.12 ERA in his 11 starts before the injury but has an 8.83 ERA in his four starts since first hitting the disabled list in June.Strasburg is 10-2 with a 2.48 ERA and 0.896 WHIP in 22 career starts against the Phillies. He has a 1.45 ERA in eight starts at Citizens Bank Park.The Nationals (65-66), who have won the NL East in each of the last two seasons, have seen their playoff chances narrow in recent weeks. Washington is 5-9 in its last 14 games and sits 8 1/2 games back in the division.The Nationals finally found some offense Sunday and are hoping for some carryover in Philadelphia. Washington was shut out in its previous three consecutive games, starting Thursday against the Phillies, but came alive for a 15-0 win over the New York Mets on Sunday. The Nationals scored 14 of the 15 runs in the eighth and ninth innings.They had similar success against Eflin last week. Eflin, a right-hander, allowed five runs (four earned) and 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings last week. It was the second shortest start of the season for Eflin, who has a 5.22 ERA in his last five starts.He owns a 6.48 ERA in two career starts against Washington.The Phillies are 7-6 so far this season against the Nationals. The teams have six games remaining this season, all at Citizens Bank Park. Bob Levey/Getty ImagesTeams don't reach the World Series by accident.The Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers worked hard to build deep and talented rosters, and while both clubs enjoyed tremendous success in 2018, they can't simply rest on their laurels.Both teams have multiple areas to address this offseason, including some high-profile free agents from their own rosters.Ahead is an overview of what to expect from both World Series participants this offseason, including any relevant rumors that have surfaced.Los Angeles DodgersClayton KershawSean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesThe Dodgers will find out by midnight ET Wednesday whether ace Clayton Kershaw is opting out of the final two years and $65 million of his current contract.That decision will obviously have a sweeping impact on their offseason approach.If he opts in, starting pitching doesn't look like an area of need.Walker Buehler and Rich Hill are locked into rotation spots behind him Aaron Sanchez Jersey , while Alex Wood, Ross Stripling, Kenta Maeda and Julio Urias are all options to move into full-time starting gigs.However, if he does opt out and tests the market, they could turn their attention to someone like Patrick Corbin or Dallas Keuchel to fill a spot on the staff. Re-signing Hyun-Jin Ryu would also be up for consideration.Filling out the middle relief corps will also be a priority after the team had trouble at times bridging the gap to closer Kenley Jansen.Ryan Madson is a free agent after filling a crucial role in the postseason, and the team could make a run at a number of different setup options.Adding a lefty setup option like Zach Britton or Andrew Miller would add some balance to the relief corps, while Adam Ottavino could be an appealing second-tier option who found plenty of success in the NL West this past season while pitching with the Colorado Rockies.Manny MachadoSean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesOn the position-player side of things, a long-term relationship with rental slugger Manny Machado is unlikely with Corey Seager expected to be back next season. Chris Taylor is capable of handling the position early on if Seager isn't ready for Opening Day.However, second base could be addressed with deadline addition Brian Dozier headed for free agency and Chase Utley set to retire. Kike Hernandez is an option there, but he's more valuable in a super-utility role. Max Muncy also saw time at second base, but he could move into more of a regular role at first base if Cody Bellinger moves to center field full time.It's all speculation at this point. More concrete rumors will start to swirl once free agency officially begins and the Dodgers start kicking the tires on guys, but for now, this gives you an idea of what areas they might address.Boston Red SoxCraig KimbrelSean M. Haffey/Getty ImagesThe Red Sox have some big decisions to make this offseason, starting with their own free agents.Closer Craig Kimbrel and postseason heroes Nathan Eovaldi and Steve Pearce are all set to hit the open market.Kimbrel http://www.bluejaysfanproshop.com/authentic-curtis-granderson-jersey , 30, has served as Boston's closer for the past three seasons, converting 108 of 119 save chances with a 2.44 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 14.9 strikeouts per nine innings in 187 appearances.If the Red Sox decide to let him walk, Matt Barnes could be an in-house option to take over the job.The 28-year-old racked up 25 holds pitching in a setup role this season, posting a 3.65 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a career-high 14.0 K/9 in 62 appearances.Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston wrote: "Barnes took a remarkable step forward in 2018, with his average fastball nearly a full 2 mph more than it was a year ago, from roughly 95 to 97."Otherwise, guys like Zach Britton, Kelvin Herrera, Cody Allen, Adam Ottavino and David Robertson are among the alternatives on the free-agent market.Eovaldi looks like a more likely candidate to be re-signed, as Nick Cafardo of theBoston Globewrote:"Most executives think a comparable isAlex Cobb Russell Martin Jersey , who also came back from Tommy John and landed a four-year, $57 million deal with Baltimore last offseason. Eovaldi's pedigree exceeds Cobb's at this point, so his contract should be more lucrative. The Red Sox should be interested in re-signing him, particularly withChris Sale'scurrent physical condition."Harry How/Getty ImagesPearce, 35, hit .304/.400/.559 in 120 plate appearances against left-handed pitching this season and was the perfect platoon partner for Mitch Moreland at first base.The team could also look to add some insurance at second base and another bullpen arm or two, while a starter will also be a priority if Eovaldi is not retained.That might sound like a laundry list of needs, but the Red Sox have an excellent core in place and should be in a great position to defend their title.All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs, unless otherwise noted.