Nationals keep winning, despite few actual winning streaks

The Nationals reached a new milestone during Tuesday night's win over the Angels. They're now 25 games over .500 for the first time this season.

Given the fact the Dodgers were on the verge of moving to a staggering 50 games over .500, the Nationals' achievement may not sound all that impressive. But considering the injuries they've overcome, it's no small feat.

At 71-46, the Nats are currently on pace to win 98 games, which would match the club record they set in 2012.

"I've been preaching get to 25 over, and we finally got there," manager Dusty Baker said. "Now hopefully we can go to 30 over and just win. Win series."

The Nationals have done plenty of that this season. They've outright won 24 of the 38 series they've played to date, losing 11 and splitting three.

They've consistently been good. And yet, as Baker pointed out, they haven't really had an extended run of dominance.

"We haven't had a real long winning streak yet," the manager said. "I know that it's going to get here, especially if you can go through the rotation a couple times through, and that's how winning streaks start usually. We've hit the ball well most of the year, but it's the pitching that separates you and puts you on winning streaks."

The Nationals have one seven-game winning streak this season. And they have one 10-game stretch in which they went 9-1. Their best 20-game stretch was a 15-5 run in April.

The flip side of all that? They haven't endured through anything remotely close to a sustained losing streak. They've lost four in a row on two occasions, but bounced back quickly in each case. They haven't been worse than 4-6 during any 10-game stretch at any point this season. And they haven't been worse than 9-11 during any 20-game stretch.

Considering the lack of a healthy 25-man roster, that's fairly impressive.

And considering the pending returns of several key players in the next few weeks, perhaps Baker will get his wish and the Nationals will enjoy a nice, long winning streak before it's all over.