There are many factors that can explain why the Washington Nationals are sitting at .500 as the calendar approaches August. Some of the most commonly discussed include a long list of injuries, an offense that’s struggled to hang crooked numbers up on the scoreboard and a starting rotation failing to live up to expectations.
Perhaps the most infuriating downfall of this team, however, has been the baserunning. The Nationals lead the NL in outs made on the basepaths (caught stealing, pickoffs and miscues with the ball in play) with 73 — just one behind the Tampa Bay Rays for the most in baseball.