PHILADELPHIA -- With the Pat Gillick era possibly concluding after the 2008 season, the obvious question presents itself.

Will Mike Arbuckle or Ruben Amaro Jr. become the new general manager of the Phillies?

Both assistant general managers bring front-office experience to the position, having worked for the Phillies for many years. Arbuckle arrived on Oct. 26, 1992, coming from the Braves' organization, while Amaro went straight from the playing field to the assistant GM spot after the 1998 season.

"As for what the future holds, I don't know," Arbuckle said. "I feel like I'm certainly capable if the opportunity came here, but that's not my decision. I don't know that it impacts me tremendously right now. I have to keep doing the job as well as I can, and the chips will fall."

Amaro echoed that sentiment last week, after missing out on landing the Astros' GM post given to Ed Wade, his former boss in Philadelphia. Amaro said he hopes his chance will come soon, and would love for it to be with the Phillies.

The two both interviewed for the Phillies' GM job that ultimately went to Gillick, and have had two years learning under a man who has spent 50 seasons in baseball. Amaro's contract runs out after the season, and Arbuckle is signed through 2008.

"What separates Pat from other people is that he's got a tremendous knowledge base, not just of the game, but also the people in the game," Amaro said. "I don't know that there's a person that has more contacts and gather more information than Pat. That's a separator for me. He's also one of those guys who lets you do your job and he's been great for me in my learning experience."

"All of us have gotten better," Arbuckle said. "Pat is one of the best at involving everybody and creating team chemistry in every facet. Whether it be up in our offices or down in the clubhouse, the manager and coaches are involved, the scouts are involved, the development people are involved. He's excellent at pulling everybody in, so that everybody feels like their opinion counts."

Gillick has also delegated more responsibility to his lieutenants this season. Amaro has been more of a media point man and has handled injury updates, while Arbuckle has become more involved with decisions at the Major League level.

Either way, when Gillick leaves, team president Dave Montgomery may have a tough decision between his two in-house candidates.

Gillick's status could also affect the decision on whether manager Charlie Manuel will return next season.

Rotation shuffle: Monday's off-day allowed the Phillies to juggle their rotation for the final six games, and Manuel took advantage by bumping Adam Eaton to Saturday.

Rookie Kyle Kendrick and ace Cole Hamels will be moved up to Thursday and Friday, respectively, and will be pitching on regular four days' rest.

"I was prepared to throw Thursday," Eaton said. "I found out today that wasn't the case. Any start from here on out is going to be a big start. Everybody wants to take the ball every time right now."

The right-hander is 3-3 with a 6.14 ERA in eight career starts against Atlanta, and 1-0 with a 4.89 in six starts vs. Washington.

Perhaps of bigger importance is what this means for Kendrick. The even-tempered rookie, who has gone 9-4 with a 3.83 ERA in 19 outings, is scheduled to face John Smoltz in Thursday's series finale with the Braves.

That is fine with him.

"I'll be ready," Kendrick said. "I'm sure there will be more intensity, but I'll just try and stay calm and stay within myself. I'm glad they want me in that role. I want to be one of the guys they lean on. It's fun to be in this position. You can't be scared. It's exciting."

Going a step further, by pitching Friday, Hamels would be lined up to potentially start Game 1 of the National League division series, which begins Wed. Oct. 3.

Quotable: "I don't know, but I've wanted to." -- Manuel, asked if he'd ever accidentally injured a player while trying to restrain him, as was the case when Padres manager Bud Black tried to corral outfielder Milton Bradley

Coming up: Righty Kyle Lohse, who opposes Atlanta's Tim Hudson on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. ET, endured his earliest non-injury related exit with the Phillies on Thursday, when he surrendered six earned runs in two innings against the Nationals. Lohse ended up with a no-decision after the Phillies rallied to win the game. The right-hander had done an effective job since arriving from Cincinnati just before the July 31 trade deadline. Philadelphia is 7-3 in Lohse's 10 outings.