...and the Nationals are still holding on (barely) to first place as we approach the end of May.

Very impressed with Dee Gordon. Not only his resiliency and hard work, but his enthusiasm. Love it. And of course Herrera, Ethier, and Ellis aren't too shabby.

Less impressed so far with Sue Falsone.

Yeah, but they've been slipping overall lately. While they still have the best record currently in MLB, they've only been playing .400 ball lately.

And surprisingly, the Nats are STILL in first place!

I'm starting to think I should have sent you a Brice Harper jersey rather than a Calvin and Hobbs shirt....

Considering the lineup they've been having to play with, they've been doing amazingly well. Their team batting avg is actually UP since Kemp got sidelined and their runs per game has remained steady. Unfortunately the starting pitching has gone a little shaky. Ted Lilly hitting the DL hurt. If that settles back down they are still in great shape - despite some pretty disruptive injuries.

The upside to all of the injuries is the consistent playing time a lot of their reserves and minor league call-ups are getting. Come playoffs and roster expansion I think having this many players who have shown on-field success and confidence will be a bonus.

Honestly, I can't remember having so much fun watching a team as I have with the Dodgers this season. I agree with GD that the shaky pitching starts have been the weak point - especially with so many one run games, but the late-inning aggressive playing is truly something to behold. Having two runners try and fail to make it from first to third was exciting and almost heartbreaking. The 2-run RBI that ultimately won the game was icing on the cake.

Go Dodgers.

I really hope we get Mark Ellis back soon. I was most impressed with his abilities, a perfect #2 in the lineup. His loss is understandably overshadowed by Kemp, but it was still quite a blow to our production and defense.

Still, as long as we can play .500 ball or better in the absence of all these key players, I think we have a pretty good shot down the road.

What was that rot about .400 ball?

Zero quit in that dugout.

Mucho quit in that other dugout.