It isn't that simple, though. If Hamels pitches Sunday night, he will be making his third straight start with the requisite four days of rest between starts. But Hamels, who has a checkered injury history, often prefers having an extra day. And without another off day until Sept. 15, he'd have to make a fourth consecutive start on regular rest Sept. 12 against the Brewers at Citizens Bank Park.

"That's something he hasn't done (for) four starts in a row all year long," pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "You have to take that into consideration. And he's sitting on (a National League-leading 203) innings right now, too."

Indeed, Hamels has made only three straight starts on four days of rest this season, going 1-1 with a 1.99 ERA against the Braves, Cardinals and Diamondbacks in an 11-day span in July before the All-Star break. He has made at least four straight starts on standard rest only once in his three-year major league career, going 4-1 with a 3.89 ERA in five starts from April 26 to May 16, 2007.

And although Hamels actually has pitched better this season when he has four days between starts (8-2, 2.47 ERA) than five (4-5, 4.14), the Phillies always try to protect Hamels, who has never completed a season without a stint on the disabled list.

"I surpassed 200 innings. That's in their mind," Hamels said. "It's in my mind. I want to be able to finish the season. I don't want to overextend myself because if I do that, it's not going to benefit the team. I haven't been a good teammate with the injuries I've gotten in the past. It's a sticky situation. Extra days off have benefited me down the line. But I also know it's 'go-time.'"

Dubee had said the Phillies would consider starting Hamels on Sunday night if he weren't taxed too hard against the Nationals. He cruised, retiring 12 of 15 batters between the third and seventh innings. He didn't throw more than 18 pitches in an inning.

So, will Hamels start Sunday night?

"I'm not going to give you an answer for that," Hamels said. "Sorry."

PHILLIES 4, NATIONALS 0: Jimmy Rollins notched a pair of RBI singles to lift the Phillies to a victory in the middle game of a three-game series at Washington. Cole Hamels tossed 7 1/3 shutout innings to earn his 12th victory. Hamels has won three of his last four starts, posting a 1.24 ERA during that span. He also has pitched at least seven innings 23 times this season, the most of any pitcher in the majors. Rollins and Pedro Feliz had two hits apiece. In his last nine games, Rollins is batting .472 (17-for-36) with 11 RBIs. J.C. Romero, Chad Durbin and Brad Lidge combined for 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Hamels.