My Team - Nationals vs Marlins

Proposed starting pitchers -

Tuesday: Ohlendorf vs Eovaldi
Wednesday: Strasburg vs Alvarez
Thursday: Gonzalez vs Koehler

The Nationals have been hitting a bit better of late. A five-game win streak (at Cubs, at Royals) was broken on Sunday in Kansas City. Even the loss was tied late, until mental and physical errors gave KC life. After Monday off, Washington hosts the Miami Marlins. Yeah, Miami's record is bad, but the young talent is getting experience. It takes time to develop a core.

Tuesday, Eovaldi will start for the Marlins. He's gaining experience, and can be effective against the Nats. He throws hard enough, so staying with that strength will be key. Wednesday's starter Alvarez has had some ups and downs, but pitched well against Washington on 14 July. Thursday's starter Koehler had only 13.1 major league innings before 2013. He's a guy getting his chance in the big leagues, and he's still trying to prove he belongs in Miami's plans in '14.

Their position players are coming along. Everybody knows about Stanton's power. Yeah, he isn't the most fluid fielder, but he can change a game with one swing, especially in the late innings. Hechevarria is coming along at SS. I like his potential on both sides of the ball. Morrison has had success batting against Nats' pitching. Yelich and Marisnick are very young guys, but have enough potential to give Washington fits in a particular at-bat.

As we approach the end of Johnson's tenure as Washington manager, I wonder how he'll approach this last month of the season. Will guys like Moore, Lombardozzi and Solano get more work? Johnson has alluded to it, but I wonder just how far he will go. This may help as the team prepares for next season. The next manager will want to know on which players he can depend.

Frankly, I expect a Washington sweep, as long as the Nats execute. Make the basic play on defense. Don't expand the strike zone too much when at bat. Pitchers need to consistently get ahead in counts against the Miami hitters. Again, it sounds basic, but it's easier said than done.

I know football is coming, but I enjoy baseball this time of year. For the also-rans, it's a chance to glimpse into the future.