Nats (46-46) @ Braves (54-38)

[Rafael122]

First series after the all star break, let's see if the Nats can finish strong. They go to Hotlanta to take on the Braves in a 3 game series.

Livo vs. Hudson tonight.

[Jollay]

Eight games back of the Braves for the wild card. Time to see what's what.

I expect the offense to improve and the starting pitching to decline. Even with the Wangster en route to DC, if you can believe that.

[Rafael122]

Zimmerman probably has 6-7 starts left in him as well. The schedule the next few weeks isn't that bad to be honest, Florida, Houston, Cubbies. We don't play Philly again until mid-August so who knows...we could either start playing poorly, or we could go on a run here and see what 's what by the 31st (trade deadline).

[Jollay]

Funny series so far--Nats get slaughtered in game 1 as Michael Morse commits three errors at first (only had one the entire year before that). He actually made some good plays, though, he was peppered with grounders all night. Livo kind of sucked as well.

Then they beat Tommy Hanson 5-2. If they can beat Jurrjens today, that'll be a pretty impressive series win, beating the top two Braves pitchers on the road.

[Rafael122]

Morse made a nice grab on that Desmond throw late in the game last night. Even though it hit the ground, it was still an impressive throw by Desmond.

[Wizards2Lottery]

Sean Burnett is the worst.

[Rafael122]

Nats are almost like the Wizards of the 03/04 teams, would always cut it close or are close to winning but they somehow lose in the end. They have to start winning games like that in order for them to compete. We pretty much have to sweep the Astros, worse team in baseball, something like 28 games under .500. God awful.

Jollay - your turn to start the game thread!