Outside of Wood, it is unclear which of those players will still have a locker in the home clubhouse after Monday\u2019s deadline and the coming eight-game road trip. And yet, for the first time in years, the players involved in those talks have some control over the team\u2019s direction in the games leading to the deadline.<\/p>\n
Washington is still exploring any and all types of pathways that can help in the short and long term, according to people familiar with the team\u2019s plans who were granted anonymity to speak candidly. The team has expressed interest in dealing lower-pedigree prospects for someone who could help down the stretch, such as a rental reliever, but that remains one of many avenues it could take.<\/p>\n
The players in the Nats clubhouse believe they could make a run to the postseason. One can reason that the front office agrees, at least to a certain degree. At the same time, Wednesday\u2019s 5-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays dropped their postseason odds (via FanGraphs) to 9.1 percent. Worse yet: Seven of their last eight losses were decided by one run or involved a late lead change.<\/p>\n
That puts a spotlight on the margins as they prepare for a four-game set against the Atlanta Braves \u2014 easily the most meaningful series for this franchise since it won the World Series in 2019. Here is what to watch, based on what we have seen recently:<\/p>\n
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\n Orlando Ribalta\u2019s ERA in July is barely half of what it was in June. (Scott Taetsch \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Can the back of the bullpen hold it together in Atlanta?<\/p>\n
The box score might disagree, but Orlando Ribalta and Clayton Beeter have looked much better over the last few weeks.<\/p>\n
Beeter has a 4.91 ERA in July but has had much better stuff and command since the All-Star break. His uptick in slider usage \u2014 related, in part, to the team calling some pitches<\/a> from the dugout \u2014 has also helped round out his game. Ribalta, meanwhile, allowed a pivotal run Wednesday, but that was only because of soft contact and shaky defense. He has cut his June ERA (7.27) nearly in half in July thanks to a fastball that recently gained a tick and now sits at 98 mph.<\/p>\n What to watch and say to make yourself a smarter fan (or at least to seem like one): The Nationals throw changeups less often<\/a> than any other team, but it\u2019s been well worth it for Ribalta to throw his. It\u2019s allowed him to dominate left-handed bats whom the Nats have otherwise faltered against. Opposing lefties have just one hit<\/a> off his changeup (and none off his slider) this year.<\/p>\n