A chance to get to .500 tonight, 12% into the season. I don't believe that the Nats offense has hit the point of diminishing returns based on all of the upgrades resulting from Toboni's staff. I don't believe that the pitching will quite match the improvement of the offense, but I do believe that Toboni's staff will get them to improve from what we've seen. Going back to the Nats Chat podcast interview with Toboni from January(?), he said that he did not expect to increase spending this year, unless forced to do so by the team. So far the offense has certainly been doing it's part. During the first rebuild, while they were tanking for Strasburg, Harper, and Rendon, the Lerner's, via Kasten, claimed that they would start spending once the prospects started reaching the majors. "Cheap bastards" was the term that was widely used at the time. But they eventually did just what they said they were going to do.
Almost .500 with the toughest schedule in MLB, the team needs to keep it up as the schedule gets a little easier. Get to July 1st still near .500 and spitting distance from the 3rd Wild Card, and then the pressure mounts. Trade some outfield depth for some relief pitching, trade a shortstop prospect for a starting pitcher, take on salary from a team falling out of contention. The future can be now.
