With a disappointing 2007 season, finishing 16 games under .500 for the season, the Washington Nationals were hoping for better things and a better record in 2008. The biggest bright spot for the Nationals has been the opening of Nationals Park, their new home that opened this year. During the off season, the front office signed players like Paul Lo Duca, Aaron Boone, Rob Mackowiak, acquiring Lastings Milledge from the New York Mets, and the oft-troubled Elijah Dukes from Tampa Bay.
It’s been an injury plagued season for the Nationals from the start with Dmitri Young having back problems at the beginning of the season. The sting of injuries still plague the Nationals, with Elijah Dukes having been placed on the 15-day disabled list and he's expected to miss 4-6 weeks. The Nationals also made some changes to their lineup by releasing catchers Paul Lo Duca, Johnny Estrada, and infielder Felipe Lopez.
As of right now, the Nationals have a record of 44-71, which has them in last place in the NL east. In their last 10 games, the Nats have gone 6-4.
The Washington Nationals are hoping for better things and a better record this season after such a disappointing season last year. All the Nationals can do at this point is potentially play spoiler down the stretch and look forward to the 2009 season, and hope for better things coming off back-to-back disappointing seasons.
