‘Mini-season’ number five is in the books (has been for awhile – sorry for the slow update) and things are still looking bleak for the Nationals, but they did make some moves that have produced some occasional good baseball and some hope for a better future.  They finished the fifth segment of the season 5-13, a game worse than the last segment.   But, they fired Manny Acta as manager at the All-Star break and they acquired a few promising players (Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett) from the Pirates in a late June trade.  Pitching and defense continue to be problem areas, although Morgan and Burnett have helped address both of those weaknesses.  Acta was too passive as a game-day manager/leader and the change to Jim Riggleman seems to have put a spark in the team.  The offense continues to struggle at times with poor clutch hitting, but also shows flashes of greatness.  Put all that together and things are still not looking great, but at least there is still promise.  The Nats have gone 6-9 since the All-Star break, have matched their season-long win streak of four games, and have been playing better defense of late.  Could it be that we have something positive to look forward to in the remaining 60 games?  Here’s hoping!

Mini-season 1: 4-14

Mini-season 2: 7-11

Mini-season 3: 4-14

Mini-season 4: 6-12

Mini-season 5: 5-13

Season Total: 32-70

Projected season record: 51-111