With nearly a quarter of the 2014 Major League Baseball season expired, the Washington Nationals sit two games over .500 and in second place in the National League East.
The good news, despite trailing the Atlanta Braves, is that the Nationals’ deficit in the division is just 1.5 games.
Washington has seen the recent effects of losing major contributors to injuries, including a sweep at the hands of the Oakland Athletics and six losses in nine games.
With Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman and, now, Adam LaRoche out of commission, manager Matt Williams is at his wit’s end attempting to put a product on the field that can be competitive despite being shorthanded.
Nevertheless, for all Washington has been through, it’s not all bad, and the brightest days are likely ahead. Although, there are some areas that need to be shored up before the trade deadline to give the Nationals their best chance going forward.