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MLB Washington Nationals

5 Reasons For Washington Nationals’ Winning Streak

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Reasons For Washington Nationals' Winning Streak

Anthony Rendon Nationals
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The Washington Nationals have won nine straight games. They swept the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates and won three out of four -- so far -- against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team remains in first place in the National League East and is performing at the right time of the season. Here are five reasons for the Nationals' recent success.

5. Great Leadoff Hitting

Denard Span Nationals
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5. Great Leadoff Hitting

Denard Span Nationals
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Outfielder Denard Span continues to lead the Nationals in terms of hitting. The best part about his performance though, is that he sets the tone for the rest of the lineup. Span is one of the best leadoff hitters in the league right now and is leading the Nationals with a .300 batting average.

4. Newcomers Are Producing

Asdrubal Cabrera Nationals
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4. Newcomers Are Producing

Asdrubal Cabrera Nationals
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The Nationals shook up their lineup around the MLB trade deadline. Asdrubal Cabrera was a much-needed infield addition after the loss of 3B Ryan Zimmerman. His bat is starting to come around just as the Nationals head into the final stretch of the season.

3. Walk-Off Magic

Anthony Rendon Nationals
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3. Walk-Off Magic

Anthony Rendon Nationals
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The Nationals have four walk-off wins during their winning streak. The team is playing playoff type baseball right now. They are keeping opponents to low scoring games and different members of the Nationals' lineup are stepping up each night to pull off the win.

2. A Steady Rise Out Of Slumps

Bryce Harper Nationals
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2. A Steady Rise Out Of Slumps

Bryce Harper Nationals
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The team is winning because the entire lineup is producing. That includes key players like Bryce Harper, who slumped earlier in the season. Harper is finding his bat, going 8-for-25 with a .320 batting average in his last seven games. The Nationals need him and others to continue the upward trend at the plate.

1. Pitching, Pitching, Pitching

Tanner Roark Nationals
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1. Pitching, Pitching, Pitching

Tanner Roark Nationals
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Nationals pitchers are not giving up runs. They are averaging less than three runs per game during the nine-game winning streak. Starting pitchers like Tanner Roark, Doug Fister and Stephen Strasburg are keeping them in the game and the bullpen is closing them out strong. The Nationals are pitching like a playoff team right now.

Harry Floyd is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @floydhe, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.