After many injuries and dealing with high expectations, the Nationals have found themselves a game under .500 after being the favorite to win the Fall Classic. For months up to the all-star break, Washington was actually holding their own with the emergence of good campaigns from backups like Yunel Escobar, but now they are 4.5 games back of the AL East crown and 9.5 out of second wild card spot. So, the question is: can they make their way into the playoffs?
With Anthony Rendon and Jayson Werth back in the lineup and fully healthy for the first time this season, the Nats all around are more put together than any other part of this season. Both of the big stars coming off of the DL fully healthy may both be in slumps right now, but in baseball a slump can turn into a hitting streak at any moment; and Werth along with Rendon are both very scary when hot. Shortstop Ian Desmond has already been hot the last 15 games or so batting .288 with 4 homers, compared to batting .220 for most of the 2015 campaign already. Of course pitching is still the key to winning, but with Scherzer leading the way with a good bullpen backing the starters up, the numbers should start to turn around, as the offense is getting healthier, thus will create more run support.
But, can the Nats pull it together for the last month and half to make a push for the playoffs? Despite manager, Matt Williams (2014 NL manager of the year), having to shuffle the cards all season long, a now healthier roster should help to finally solidify an official October-like lineup. Extended rosters in September should also be of value, as shortstop prodigy Trea Turner will most likely be brought up, who could very well put the veterans in their place getting, thus putting the Nats on the hot train. Despite the Mets making significant moves at the deadline to put them over the top, they can still be knocked out, and the team who was heavy favorites to begin, is not about to miss the playoffs entirely.
