WASHINGTON – Before Bryce Harper played his first game with the Phillies in March, he might have glanced at the schedule and imagined the significance of this week’s series against the Nationals at Nationals Park. Could his new team be battling his old team for the National League East title? Home-field advantage in the NL Wild Card Game? A Wild Card spot?

It turned out, none of the above.

The Phillies’ season of high expectations is on the brink of elimination following Monday night’s 7-2 loss to the Nationals. The Phils are 79-76 with seven games to play. The Nats are 86-69, and the Brewers are 86-70. The Phillies have reached the point in their season where they must win their remaining seven games and then hope the Brewers or Nationals lose their remaining games to force a tie for the second NL Wild Card. The Phillies have not won more than four consecutive games this season.

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None of this is a surprise. The Phillies have been headed this way for some time.

“It’s frustrating,” right-hander Zach Eflin said.

But assuming the miracle does not happen, what do the Phillies play for this week? Sure, they can play for pride. They can try to spoil the Nationals’ shot at hosting the NL Wild Card Game next week. But they also need to win three more games to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2011.

It is a consolation prize, but it is something as the Phillies’ brain trust gathers in Washington this week to discuss the team’s personnel. Phillies managing partner John Middleton attended Monday’s game. He could push general manager Matt Klentak to make a change at manager and/or the coaching staff. He pushed to dismiss hitting coach John Mallee in August.

“I have zero doubts about our guys pushing hard every single game,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said. “As long as we are still in this thing, we are going to act like we're still in it. We're going to keep fighting. We'll come out [Tuesday], win a couple of games, and you never know what could happen. That's the way we're thinking about it. We're still in this.”

The Phillies have been outscored the past two games, 17-3. Eflin allowed five runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out two in five innings, taking the loss Monday. Adam Eaton, Yan Gomes and Trea Turner each hit solo home runs off Eflin to take a 3-0 lead. The Phillies walked four consecutive batters in the eighth, including two with the bases loaded, to allow two runs to score.

Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin allowed one run on three hits in six innings. The Phillies pursued Corbin last offseason, but they did not want to offer him a sixth year in a multi-year offer. He entered the night with 4.9 Wins Above Replacement, according to FanGraphs. Aaron Nola leads Phillies’ pitchers with a 3.4 WAR.

“He's got a good fastball-slider combination,” Kapler said of Corbin. “Both of those pitches look the same to our guys. That's why he's been so successful in this league. You're not sure which one of them is coming at any given time. Honestly, it boils down to good stuff and the ability to put it below the zone.”

J.T. Realmuto did not play because of soreness in his right knee. Rhys Hoskins is hitless with 12 strikeouts in his last 22 at-bats. It is unclear if Realmuto will play Tuesday in either game of a split doubleheader. Hoskins will play. Despite his struggles, he remains one of the team’s best weapons.

“Rhys, as long as he's healthy and strong, he'll be in the lineup for us,” Kapler said. “I believe he's our best option always. Hits right in the middle of the lineup for us for a reason. It's because I believe that he's among our best weapons every single day, no matter what.”