NL East review: It took a while, but Washington has returned to top spot

Nothing has changed in the National League East: The Nationals are the best team in the division and they're playing that way.

After falling as many as eight games behind the Mets in the NL East with a 7-13 start, the Nationals have returned to first place, where they are expected to stay. And they are in first place even though three of their best players are on the disabled list and their elite pitching staff isn't firing on all cylinders.

The Mets, the team that made headlines with a good start in April, can't hit to support their pitching. The Marlins, another team expected to challenge the Nationals, are in disarray and are counting on a bizarre manager switch to pull them out of their hole. The Phillies, in D.C. this weekend for the second time this season, are looking for ways to rebuild their roster.

Here's a look at the NL East at Memorial Day weekend:

Washington: The Nationals are on a roll, but not because of their rotation. Max Scherzer, the $210 million man, has been spectacular with a 1.75 ERA. But Stephen Strasburg has had ankle and back injuries and that's affected his mechanics. Doug Fister is on the disabled list with a forearm injury. Jordan Zimmermann and lefty Gio Gonzalez have each struggled with command. ... Right fielder Bryce Harper has been all the rage, first with his MVP-like bat and also for getting ejected from two games for arguing with umpires. ... The story that's lost in the shuffle is catcher Wilson Ramos, who, thanks to a new workout routine that gives him more flexibility, is hitting well and expecting to catch 120-130 games. ... Anthony Rendon has been on the disabled list all season with knee and oblique injuries, so manager Matt Williams is going to have difficult decisions in giving playing time to Yunel Escobar, Danny Espinosa and Rendon between second and third. ... Denard Span started the season on the disabled list, but he's been an incredible catalyst at the top of the order. ... Drew Storen is one of the best closers in the league and Ryan Zimmerman, playing first base for the first time in his career, looks as though he's played the position his entire career. ... Outfielder Jayson Werth started on the disabled list, came back and struggled and then picked up his hitting when he was drilled in the left wrist, putting him on the disabled list again.

Atlanta: After trading eight players, including outfielder Justin Upton and closer Craig Kimbrel, the Braves are in a transition year, but they are doing well, considering they were at .500 going into the weekend. Manager Fredi Gonzalez has a younger and more versatile roster. ... The rotation had a bad April, but a strong May. The Braves don't have their usual power lineup, but they are winning games with strong pitching and improved situational hitting. ... The Braves got a list of big-time prospects in their trades, including pitcher Shelby Miller, 24 who is developing into a top-of-the-rotation guy; pitcher Mike Foltynewicz, 23, a power right-hander who is in the rotation with his high 90s fastball; outfielder Mallex Smith, whose speed has been impressive at Double-A; and second baseman Jace Pederson, who is known for hard-nose versatility and has become the Braves' leadoff batter. ... Former Oriole Nick Markakis says his neck is healthy and it is showing. He's playing his usual good defense and getting on base on a better than .400 clip.

Miami: The Marlins were hoping to tread water until pitching sensation Jose Fernandez would return in late June from Tommy John surgery, but the season is unraveling quickly and the Marlins started the weekend with a seven-game losing streak that has sunk that into last place 10 games under .500. ... Dan Jennings, the general manager-turned-field manager, has got a nearly insurmountable challenge on his hands, given that he hasn't managed or coached since leading a high school team in Mobile, Ala., years ago. ... Giancarlo Stanton, the $325 million man, is hitting spectacular home runs, but he's struggling to hit .240. He should be in the .290 range. The other members of what is potentially the best all-around outfield in baseball have had their problem. Marcell Ozuna isn't hitting and Christian Yelich is trying to make up for spending time on the disabled list. ... Former Nat Dan Haren has been the Marlins' most consistent pitcher. Haren was projected as the No. 5 guy when the season began and he said that he wasn't going to pitch unless he went to a West Coast team. ... Another former Nat, Michael Morse, hasn't hit, and that's opened the door for Justin Bour, one of the Marlins' top hitting prospects, to play first base and he hasn't disappointed, averaging better than .400. ... Dee Gordon, acquired from the Dodgers, has cooled off to having a .386 average going into this weekend. ... And the Marlins might not have been needed to fire Mike Redmond as their manager if Steve Cishek hadn't blow four of his seven save chances. Cishek is out as the closer and has been replaced by A.J. Ramos.

New York: If the Mets, who had an 11-game winning streak, could hit, they'd be dangerous. How much are they going to get from the face of their franchise, David Wright, who is out with a back injury and who is becoming the Mets' version of the Yankees' Don Mattingly? Mattingly had six amazing years with the Yankees and then dealt with injuries until he retired. ... Curtis Granderson and Michael Cuddyer, two expensive free agents in the last two seasons, aren't hitting as they should, and the catcher, Travis d'Arnaud should be returning soon from a broken hand. ... The Mets have also survived a list of injuries to their bullpen. ... The Mets need a shortstop and speculation has them trading for Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki, but apparently management is going to keep their prospects - and their money - and stick with Wilmer Flores. ...Pitcher Matt Harvey has made a spectacular return from Tommy John surgery. Jacob deGrom, the 2014 NL Rookie of the Year, has dominated. Noah Syndergaard, the Mets' top pitching prospect, has been impressive at Triple-A as well as a short stint in the big leagues. His 98 mph fastball and sharp curve have lived up to the hype.

Philadelphia: The Phillies have been the focus of trade since the end of last season, and while the speculation gets old, there's good news in that regard for the Phillies. The players that are trade potential for prospects are showing positive signs: Infielders Chase Utley, 35, and Ryan Howard, 36, have improved hitting after temporary moves to lower in the lineup. (At one point, the Phillies scored at least four runs in seven consecutive games, something they haven't done since 2011). Utley and Howard could bring some interest at the trade deadline. ... Lefty Cole Hamels, who could be the big prize at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, has shaken off an April slump and the closer; Jonathan Papelbon has been lights out, going 11-for-11 in save chances. Papelbon and his setup guy, Ken Giles, the future closer with a fastball that can hit 100 mph, are the strength of the team. ... The Phillies would like to trade Utley, Howard, Hamels and Papelbon and have a makeover similar to the Braves. ... The most interesting story is center fielder Odubel Herrera, a rookie outfielder who is playing rangy defense and hitting doubles and triples and becoming a base stealing threat. He was taken in the Rule 5 draft last winter from Texas.