The Nationals are now 3-3 on the season after winning their last two games over the Mets. The Nationals have been outscored 37-22 this season with most of that damage coming against the Phillies. The Nationals will get tested this week as they play three games in Philly and then they will host the Brewers for three games this coming weekend. We will find out what the Nationals are made of this week as both the Phillies & Brewers have good baseball teams.

The Nationals are now 1-3 as they have been outscored 32-13 so far this season. The Nationals have had problems scoring runs, the rotation has been awful and the bullpen has been throwing gas on the fire when summoned into the game. The biggest problem so far has been the starting rotation as it’s getting beat up early in games which is burning out the bullpen. Nationals’ starting pitchers are 0-2 with a 9.56 ERA and a 2.44 WHIP which is downright pitiful.

29 year old righty reliever Chris Schroder is getting things right in his 2nd major league season.  He has pitched in 33 games since the Nationals recalled him from the minors and he is 2-2 with a 2.53 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP.  In 42.2 innings, Schroder has allowed 30 hits, walked 13 batters and whiffed 40.  Schroder has been a key component in a bullpen that is helping keep the Nationals out of last place in the National League East.  The Nationals are currently 68-83 which has them in 4th place in the National League East, 15.5 games behind the Mets and 3 games ahead of the Marlins.

The Nationals have played well at the end of the season providing hope for the near future.  The Nationals have won 7 of their last 10 games to move into 4th place in the National League East.  The Nationals are now 65-80 on the season which has them 17.5 games behind the New York Mets in the divison.  The important thing for the Nationals is that they are three games ahead of the Marlins for 4th place.

Before the season started most experts thought the Nationals would be the worst team in baseball.  They are one of the worst teams but you can see the effort on the field and the talent of some of the young players which promises a better future for the Nationals.  The Nationals are currently 61-77 which has them in 4th place in the National League East, 16.5 games behind the Mets.  The Nationals have scored the least runs in the majors with 547 (4.0 per game) but they have some players who have been producing.  3B Ryan Zimmerman is having a solid sophomore season as he is hitting .269 with 80 runs scored, 22 homers and 81 RBIs.  1B Dmitri Young has been a great surprise to the Nationals with his performance as he is hitting .333 with 13 homers and 72 RBIs this season.  Wily Mo Pena has really showed good power in his first 15 games as a National.  He is hitting .245 with 10 runs scored, 5 homers and 9 RBIs with the Nationals this season.  Closer Chad Cordero has been a godsend on the Nationals pitching staff as he has been making the effort of the young pitching staff stand up.  Cordero is 3-3 with 30 saves and a 3.14 ERA so far this season.