Nats lose; eliminated from playoff contention

The Washington Nationals entered the weekend knowing they needed to be perfect in order to squeak into the National League post season.  The Nationals, however, dropped several games, and were eliminated from playoff contention by the Cincinnati Reds.  It was just a little too late for the Washington Nationals team that suffered through a few terrible hitting streaks throughout the season.  To the Reds credit, however, Cincinnati had been a tough team to catch, winning game after game staving off the Washington comeback.

Many changes lay on the horizon for a Nationals team that will have a new manager among other changes in 2014. Davey Johnson made his intentions clear prior to the season stating he will retire.  Jayson Werth and Jordan Zimmerman were two of the best players at their respective positions, and were bright spots throughout Washington’s problems.  Phenom’s Bryce Harper and Stephen Strausburg each had their fair share of struggles with Harper suffering through several lingering injuries, and Strausburg receiving minimal run support.

Questions remain as to what the Nationals plan on doing to secure the hitting?  As expected the Nationals rotation was strong, but not strong enough to combat the abysmal National hitting.  Washington must address the glaring need for a major bat in the lineup.

The Nats made great strides in the second half of the season, but an improving division means Washington must solve the puzzle of remaining consistent throughout the entire season.  The Nationals will finish of their 2013 campaign by wrapping up a series against the St. Louis Cardinals and then finally in Arizona against the Diamondbacks.