The First Half for the Nationals

Unfortunately, the first half of the 2008 season hasn't been kind to the Washington Nationals.  The team won their first three games of the season, raising hopes, only to drop sixteen of the next nineteen.  The team's move to Nationals Park hasn't seemed to improve their successes on the field, and things are looking glum heading into the second half of the season.  While there's still time to turn things around and at least partially salvage things, everyone's essentially written off the post-season this year.

The Nats have struggled mightily so far this season, with the only two NL teams against which they have maintained a winning record being the Braves and the Cubs.  The Florida Marlins, in particular, have hammered the Nats, winning ten games to Washington's two.  A multitude of problems have plagued the Nationals, ranging from non-productive hitting to poor pitching, and injuries have definitely played a part in the team's woes this year.  In particular, outfielder Wily Mo Pena has ended his season thanks to surgery; closer Chad Cordero will miss not only the 2008 season, but most of 2009 as well.

At the All-Star Break, the team found itself below .400, with prospects for leaving the cellar looking dim.  Pitcher Tim Redding has shown some considerable improvement on the mound this year, but has suffered a chronic lack of run support.  As the season winds on, it's looking more and more like Nats fans will have to pin their hopes on a better 2009.