The Washington Nationals, who have won two straight division titles and three in the past four years, need a miracle to make the playoffs this season.
On Monday night, the Nationals (76-74) visit the Miami Marlins to start a quick two-game series.
The Nationals enter Monday in third place in the NL East, trailing the division-leading Atlanta Braves by 7.5 games.
The Nationals are also six games out of the second and final wild-card spot with just 12 contests left on their schedule. Worse yet, the Nationals trail five teams in the wild-card standings.