With stunning turnaround, Nationals are a real force in the NL

On May 23, the Washington Nationals hit rock bottom. They had just suffered a four-game sweep in New York and at 19-31, were 12 games under .500 for the first time since 2010.

Washington has gone 30-12 since then, getting as far as seven games over .500 and currently hold the National League’s top wild-card spot.

The team’s turnaround has certainly been keyed by the starting pitching. After going 2-10 in ace Max Scherzer’s first 12 starts, Washington has won his last seven, with Scherzer posting an 0.87 ERA and 79 strikeouts in that stretch.

Stephen Strasburg is on pace to top 200 innings for the second time in his career and prized free agent addition Patrick Corbin has been as good as advertised.

The bullpen is obviously the problem, though it’s been slightly less of a dumpster fire the past month. If they can add an arm or two ahead of the deadline, they’ve got a real chance to go deep into October.

Here’s how our panel voted this week:

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

Corey Seager returns after a month on the shelf.

2. New York Yankees

Luis Severino and Dellin Betances both cleared to start throwing again.

3. Houston Astros

Starting a stretch of 10 games in a row against AL West rivals.

4. Atlanta Braves

Dallas Keuchel only gave up five earned runs in first three July starts.

5. Minnesota Twins

Took two of three in huge series vs. Indians coming out of the break.

6. Tampa Bay Rays

Nate Lowe is here to stay, starting July 10-for-29 with five HR, 10 RBI.

7. Washington Nationals

Things are finally coming together – but they need to bolster the bullpen.

8. Chicago Cubs

Jason Heyward had a .688 OPS in first three years with Cubs. He’s at .833 in 2019.

9. Boston Red Sox

Getting Andrew Cashner from Baltimore was a good early move.

10. Oakland Athletics

Second-half hopes dealt a blow by injury to prospect Jesus Luzardo.

11. Texas Rangers

Should get a serious boost with Hunter Pence coming off the IL.

12. Milwaukee Brewers

Jesus Aguilar from June 6-July 13: .370/.443/.648.

13. Cleveland Indians

They’re back in the wild-card race and could make a push for the division.

14. Philadelphia Phillies

Gabe Kapler could be on the hot seat if things don’t turn around.

15. St. Louis Cardinals

Carlos Martinez has been impressive in the ninth inning.

16. Arizona Diamondbacks

Tricky situation: In the wild-card hunt but should probably trade Zack Greinke.

17. Los Angeles Angels

Mike Trout’s slugging percentage and OPS would be both career-highs.

18. Colorado Rockies

Went 1-6 to start July, which doesn’t bode well for postseason hopes.

19. San Diego Padres

Fernando Tatis Jr. is setting the world on fire and you should be paying attention.

20. Pittsburgh Pirates

Chris Archer has 51 strikeouts in his last 37 innings.

21. Cincinnati Reds

Phillip Ervin becomes first Reds player since 1949 to have six hits in a game.

22. Chicago White Sox

Eloy Jimenez has raised his OPS nearly 100 points in the past month.

23. New York Mets

Zack Wheeler will likely be dealt, but could Noah Syndergaard go too?

24. San Francisco Giants

Only a few more weeks of Madison Bumgarner consternation.

25. Seattle Mariners

Is there a market for Dee Gordon? Contract makes him hard to move.

26. Miami Marlins

Starlin Castro is having a disastrous a season, but could help a contender.

27. Toronto Blue Jays

Can we just get Vlad Jr.’s batting practice nationally televised every night?

28. Kansas City Royals

Bubba Starling, the fifth overall pick in 2011, finally makes MLB debut at age 26.

29. Detroit Tigers

Jordan Zimmermann is due $25 million in 2020, which is not ideal.

30. Baltimore Orioles Entering the day he was traded, Andrew Cashner had nine wins. Baltimore had 27. (USA Today/TNS)