Postseason bench will be strong, but who's odd man out?

With the addition of veteran infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick, the Nationals have the makings of an extremely lethal offense starting eight and bench.

The club will be especially potent when it gets back starters Jayson Werth, Michael A. Taylor and Trea Turner.

Taylor appears the closest of those three to getting back. He began his rehab assignment Monday night for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals, going 0-for-2 with a strikeout as the designated hitter. He looked very good shagging fly balls in center field during Saturday's batting practice prior to the Nats' matchup against the Rockies.

Assuming Werth, Taylor and Turner all return this month, players such as Kendrick, Brian Goodwin and Wilmer Difo would go to the bench.

Manager Dusty Baker was thrilled this week to acquire Kendrick and see him double twice during the series against Colorado. He spoke about putting Kendrick near the top of the order in the nightcap of Sunday's doubleheader.

"I think Howie's a perfect second hitter," Baker said. "He can hit the ball that way. I came over with a different lineup because I didn't want the bottom of our lineup to be heavy with guys who weren't as productive. That's why I had Howie down there in the first game.

"I didn't have Daniel Murphy in the first game (Sunday), and (I wanted to rest Bryce Harper) in the second game. The second slot is perfect, but I also wanted to turn the lineup over with seven and eight, and which they came to Difo and Goodwin. And plus they had played in the first game, they did a lot of running in center field, so I kind of wanted to get them a break on their legs going into the second game.

Which brings up another decision Baker will need to make when formulating the 25-man roster for the postseason.

Will Difo and Goodwin make the postseason roster?

Difo has been on a July surge, hitting .373 with 17 runs, three homers and 11 RBIs. Baker said Sunday that Difo's ability to hit the ball on the ground has gotten him in a nice groove. He is also a valuable switch-hitter. Difo is hitting .254 in 126 at-bats against right-handers and .314 in 35 at-bats against left-handed pitching.

"He's staying out of the air and he's hitting the ball the other way," Baker said. "He'll pull it up on occasion. You see how they were playing him (Sunday night). Because that's a double down the line, but they were standing right there, so evidently they've been scouting Difo too. He's been a tough out. He's been a clutch man for us in that No. 2 spot. Difo's playing well."

Veteran Stephen Drew (left abdominal strain) is on the disabled list. Will Difo's latest hot streak catapult him into the talk for a postseason roster spot? Difo can play retty much around the horn at shortstop, second base and third base. Drew can play each spot, as well.

Difo has a good shot, but president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo likes veterans and those that have extensive playoff experience. Drew fits that bill, so the decision between Difo and Drew will be a tough one.

Can the Nats carry both?

If they carry six bench players, it could work out.

Goodwin has also been very good as a substitute for Taylor. His power numbers have been through the roof. He has hit 11 homers in June and July.

He is also a left-handed bat, which could help if platooning with Taylor. But Adam Lind will make the postseason roster. While not as athletic as Goodwin, Lind has the power stroke and also hits from the left side.

Obviously, Jose Lobaton, a switch-hitter, is the backup catcher.

So the final list most likely: Lind, Kendrick, Difo, Drew, Goodwin and Lobaton. If the Nats carry only five bench players and go instead with an extra reliever, then one of these players won't be on the postseason list.

It could depend a lot on the bullpen makeup and how well Brandon Kintzler, Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson stabilize the final three innings these next two months. That will go a long way in helping Rizzo with some wiggle room on offense.