So much for a super-tough stretch of the schedule

Remember when some felt this portion of the Nationals' schedule was supposed to bring the team back down to earth a little bit? The Nats are now 22 games into a stretch which has them playing 32 straight contests against teams from either the National League East or American League East. So far in those games, the Nats are 14-8. They've won five straight on the road and now have the top road record in the NL with a .594 road winning percentage. They could notch the second-longest road winning streak in Nationals history with another win over the Blue Jays today. This three-week stretch of the Nats' schedule hasn't broken them or showed many weaknesses. Instead, it's confirmed for the baseball world that this team can not only hang with the big boys, but push 'em around a bit, as well. Believe it or not, the Nats are currently on pace for 100 wins this season. Yes, 100. They're 14 games over .500 for the first time since July 2005 and now have a four-game lead in the NL East for the first time this season. The impressive numbers just keep on coming. Some will point out that the toughest test during this section of the schedule has yet to come. The Nats might really see where they stand when they return home to play three-game sets against the Yankees and Rays, who are currently duking it out along with the Orioles at the top of the AL East. But winning on the road isn't easy. And for the first time in team history, the Nats have a chance today to go 6-0 on a road trip. Against the Yankees, the Nats will send Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and Edwin Jackson to the mound against Phil Hughes, Andy Pettitte and Ivan Nova. Today, it will be Stephen Strasburg taking the hill against Kyle Drabek in a 12:37 p.m. start. Can the road dominance continue?