The Washington Nationals may or may not finish the season at .500, but in the last two weeks they have made the statement that this may be a team to reckon with in the relatively near future. The team is coming of a four game sweep of arguably the best team in baseball: the Philadelphia Phillies (this was the FIRST time all season the Phillies have been swept in a series). Great pitching, outstanding defense and timely hitting have put the Nats solidly in third place in the division. The Nats don't quite have all the parts to be a bonafide contender, but I think they have enough quality players to make a run at post season play. The one thing I do know for sure is that it'll be fun to watch.
The Redskins could also be turning a corner. It's way too early in the season to jump on the Skins Superbowl Bandwagon, and two wins do not a season make (2009 saw the Skins win their first six games only to miss the playoffs with a pitiful 2-8 run in the second half). But the dead weight is gone. Albert Haynesworth is now plaguing Bill Belicheck with his attitude, and Donovan McNabb is busy stinking up the Metrodome. There has been an infusion of youth brought in through the first quality draft the Skins have had in years, and it seems that veterans and rookies alike have bought into Mike Shanahan's program. I remain cautiously optimistic about the Redskins chances this season, but a win against the hated Cowboys in Dallas on Monday night would go a long way towards reviving my faith.
