The Nationals could clinch the National League East on Friday night. If so, they'll have to do it without All-Star second baseman Daniel Murphy.

Why? Because Murphy, who has gone almost a week now without starting a game, is dealing with a strained buttocks and will be shut down for a few days:

Murphy hasn't started since September 17, though he did make two (unsuccessful) pinch-hit appearances in recent days. He enters the shutdown hitting .347/.391/.596 and with a case for MVP consideration.

Obviously it's never ideal when a player misses time a week before the postseason begins; however, the Nationals have the luxury of prioritizing Murphy's health above all. Entering Friday, the Nationals' magic number down to was two, meaning, in the simplest terms, that any combination of two Nationals wins and/or Mets losses will clinch the NL East. Without realistic home-field advantage aspirations, the Nationals can afford to coast -- or, more accurately, heal -- over the coming week.

As such, expect the Nationals to continue using a Stephen Drew/Wilmer Difo timeshare at second base, with Difo getting action against left-handed pitchers.