Washington Nationals: 10 Roadblocks to Making a Deep Playoff Run in 2012

One month into the 2012 MLB season, the Washington Nationals are on top of the National League East with a 14-9 record.

I know, who would've thought that the Nationals would be succeeding one year before most thought they would?

There's a lot of excitement going on around Washington D.C., with Bryce Harper being recently called up, and Stephen Strasburg impressing early.

This team looks poised to make a run at the playoffs, but just like every other team, sometimes things will happen to derail those hopes.

Here's a look at 10 things that could be potential roadblocks for the Nationals now that we know a little bit about what they're made of.

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10. Stephen Strasburg Innings Limit

With Stephen Strasburg being on a 160-inning limit this season, the Nationals have a lot of work to do between now and the time when he's shut down for the year.

With that time to come around August, the Nationals will need to already be in playoff position so as not to feel the effects of Strasburg not being in the rotation.

We saw two teams have epic collapses last year when they weren't on top of their game. And, when you take out your team's best pitcher for a playoff run, you're only asking for trouble.

9. Michael Morse's Health

Michael Morse has yet to play a game this season after suffering a lat injury in spring training.

Then, during a rehab assignment in mid-April, he re-aggravated the injury and has been in total shutdown mode, and will be until the beginning of June.

The Nationals need Morse in the middle of their lineup, even though Adam LaRoche is doing a pretty good job.

Morse was a beast last year, hitting .303 with 31 home runs and 95 RBI. With the success some of the other National hitters are already having, inserting Morse into the middle of the lineup will only make them that much better.

8. Ryan Zimmerman Injury

Ryan Zimmerman is a key component of the Nationals on the field and in the clubhouse.

With him being injured, the Nationals don't have that veteran on-field leadership to help them get through tough games.

There are certain teams that depend on their leader to be on the field to lead the charge.

The Braves are one of them with Chipper Jones, while the Rays are the same with Evan Longoria.

Both teams don't struggle mightily without their leaders, but you can see a big difference in the lineup and in the dugout.

Having Zimmerman's bat in the lineup is not bad, either.

7. Closer

Nothing against Henry Rodriguez and Brad Lidge, but the Nationals need Drew Storen to be healthy and back in the closer's role.

There is no pitcher better suited for the closer's role on the Nationals than Storen.

Last year, Storen went 6-3 with a 2.75 ERA, 74 strikeouts and 43 saves.

Those are good numbers and exactly what the Nationals need at the back of their bullpen if they hope to make a run at the playoffs.

6. Errors Up the Middle

Danny Espinosa and Ian Desmond already have three errors apiece this season.

That's not good for your double-play combination.

If I were a pitcher, I have to know that my middle infielders are sure-handed. Can they really say that currently with Espinosa and Desmond behind them?

5. Have to Score More Than 5 Runs

The Nationals have only scored five or more runs five times this season.

Their success doing that is not going to last long.

On the other hand, the Braves, which are 1/2 game behind them entering Wednesday, have scored five or more runs 10 times this year.

At some point, the Nationals' luck of winning all of these close, low-scoring games, is going to end and other teams in the division are going to be the beneficiary of it.

4. September Schedule

The September/October schedule isn't exactly easy for the Nationals.

Starting at the beginning of the month, the Nats are home against St. Louis, the Cubs and Marlins; on the road against the Mets and Braves; at home against the Dodgers and Brewers; on the road against the Phillies and Cardinals; and finally at home against the Phillies.

Now, that's not exactly the easiest schedule in the world.

And, with Stephen Strasburg not likely to pitch that month, it's going to make it even tougher on the Nats.

3. Other Pitchers Stepping Up

When Stephen Strasburg is finally shut down after reaching his innings limit, which starting pitcher will step into that No. 1 role?

Can it be Gio Gonzalez or Edwin Jackson? How about Jordan Zimmermann?

Are any of these pitchers prepared to be the ace of the staff when Strasburg is out?

If not, the Nationals are going to be in some big trouble.

2. Lack of Depth

There is no depth on the Nationals' bench right now.

Unless you plan on keeping your starters in there every game, you have to make a move to get some depth on the bench.

Steve Lambardozzi is the only bench player with better than a .250 average as he sits at .289.

Something has to change on the bench. But, who could the Nationals go after that would make a difference?

1. Who Knows How to Win?

Other than Jayson Werth and Brad Lidge, name a player on the roster that has experienced success in the postseason.

There might be one or two, but that's my point.

There's not enough playoff experience on the team, and when it gets down to crunch time in September, the guys that usually step up are the ones that have been there before.

The Nationals don't have too many of those.