The Washington Nationals inexplicably begin the second half of the 2005 season atop the National League Eastern division. Many things had to have happen to allow the former Expos to get there, and many things have to continue to happen to keep the Nationals there. Let's look at what those things are:

1]Nick Johnson has to play 65 games. Further, he needs to play at the level he showed the first half. But as much as the Nationals need his bat in the lineup, the team has to have his glove out there every day. I often listen to the opposing team's radio broadcasters, and to a team, each has raved about Nick Johnson's glove. Some have compared him to J.T. Snow, the goldest of golden gloves at first base. Brad Wilkerson can now fill in at first when he needs to, but it has to be less than 10 times if the Nats are going to succeed. Hoped for 2nd half production: .310-8-40

2]Jose Vidro must stay healthy. Perhaps the most devastating injury the team has experienced the past month [and there have been many] is that of Junior Spivey. With Spivey on the bench, manager Frank Robinson was able to exercise caution with Vidro's knee and ankle, giving him more days off. Now, Vidro is the only real option the Nationals have at 2nd base. Hoped for 2nd half production: .303-9-46

3]Vinny Castilla can't keep spiraling downward. Castilla started out the season as perhaps the finest hitter on the club, hitting as high as .342 in mid May. Slowly, however, Vinny's numbers started a slow but steady spiral downward. Today, he hits an occasional double, drives in a run now and then, but other then that, he's producing a lot of pop ups, clear indication of what Frank Robinson described as a "tired bat." Hoped for 2nd half production: .265-6-40

4]Livan Hernandez must keep that knee healthy. There is no question that Livan is getting by with guile and guts and not his usual stuff right now. His knee hurts every day and, at times, it's downright painful to watch him pitch. The Nationals are done without Livan. Without him, the team is seven games over .500 and fighting for a wild card berth. Hoped for 2nd half production: 9-3, 3.50

5]The entire outfield must learn to co-exist. The Washington Nationals now have five players who have been a starter on a major league baseball team. Brad Wilkerson, Ryan Church, Marlon Byrd, Jose Guillen and Preston Wilson must all get playing time and produce for the Nationals to win. We now have Wilson, and we have to use him, but I worry about a regression in both skills and confidence in Ryan Church. Had church played a full year, he would have hit .300 with 25+ homers and 85+ RBI's. So why a new outfielder? Brad Wilkerson. Wilkerson was quoted in a Washington Post piece that he might be the next to go. He may be only joking, but it would make the most sense. Wilson and Wilkerson are similar players, both with talent but with holes in their abilities. Church is the real deal.

Of course, there are many more ifs in play for the team to succeed in the second half. The bull pen can't be over used as it was in the first half ... Guzman has to at some point resemble a major league shortstop ... Tony Armas has to pitch like he's playing for a contract [oh, wait .. he is] . The Braves are coming and coming hard, make no mistake about it. Their all-star pitching tandem of Hudson, Thompson and Hampton are about ready to come off the DL. That only makes them better. If the Nationals play collectively, play as a group and a team, they'll win. But I must tell you that Jose Guillen is beginning to worry me. He is slowly but surely beginning to sound like that trouble maker that has made Washington his 7th team in less than a decade. Maybe the Preston Wilson deal was Jim Bowden hedging his bet if Guillen goes crazy. Of course, none of us know what lurks under the surface of the USS Nationals. All we can do is hope that the team has repaired the big leaks, and that the small ones won't create a buoyancy problem. We'll begin to find out tonight.

# posted by Farid Rushdi @ 9:40 AM