Nationals News: Bryce Harper Breakdown Edition

  When someone explains to me why they don't like baseball, one of the most common arguments I hear is that there are too many games, making individual games meaningless. My take is that 162 games means that there are no fluke teams in the playoffs, but that's another post entirely... anyway, with just a little over a month left in the regular season, nobody can argue that individual games don't matter. For teams at the top of the standings, each win brings them closer to postseason glory. For teams at the bottom, each loss brings them closer to Bryce Harper (the next Stephen Strasburg), who I'm assuming will become next year's first round pick.

  As of September 1, there are really only three teams in the Harpoff --

  As of September 1, there are really only three teams in the Harpoff --the Pirates, the Royals, and of course, the Nationals. The Nationals are sporting a solid 46-86 record, the Royals are second best with 50-81 and the dark horse Pirates are 53-77. Although the Nationals have a comfortable four game lead, I expect the Royals to give them a run for their money. Looking at the upcoming schedules, the Royals face the Angels, the Tigers, the Indians, the Tigers (again), the White Sox, the Red Sox, the Twins and the Yankees. That's a preeeetty tough schedule. Don't count the Nationals out of it just yet, though, as they've got six games against the Marlins, the Phillies and the Mets, and then three against the Dodgers and the Braves. The Pirates' schedule isn't too hard, but I don't want to type it out so if you're interested click here. If I had to put money on it, I'd bet on the Royals, but considering that the Nats haven't been too hot against the NL East, we could have a race on our hands.

  Livan Hernandez had another solid start, pitching an 8-inning complete game, but the Nats failed to give him run support. When the offense and defense start to play in the same game, this team will go places.

  Outfielder Justin Maxwell was called up yesterday, and hopes to turn his batting around. He's sporting a .996 fielding average in 86 games in center field and he's remarkably fast, so playing solid defense is not his problem.

  FJB breaks down Nationals Park to discover that it may be more of a pitcher's park than originally thought.

  Nationals fans' hearts aren't two sizes too small: you guys donated over 5,000 school supplies to local schools. Fantastic job, and thank you very much!