Chicago Cubs: A chat with Eduardo Perez ahead of Sunday Night Baseball

Chicago Cubs: Get ready for a death blow, Nats fans

We’re rapidly approaching mid-August. The Washington Nationals enter Sunday night’s finale at the Confines 5 1/2 games out in the National League East and 4 1/2 out of a wild card spot. According to Perez, it’s time for the Nats to get hot – or risk missing the postseason altogether.

"“This is the time. You look at it, we’re in August. This is the time you gotta get it going. A team like the Nationals, they have the potential of getting it started. They have the players – we know that. From Rendon to Harper to Turner, so on and so forth … I think this is a team that could definitely catch fire and they are yet to do it all year.”"

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Washington went 20-7 in the month of May, leading everyone to believe things were back on-track. But they followed that with a 9-16 June and an 11-14 July as they stare up at two young, upstart squads in the Phillies and Braves.

While the Cubs have overcome a bevy of injuries, the Nats have been crippled by them all season long. Perez was quick to point out the blame doesn’t fall at the feet of first-year skipper Davey Martinez, because, at the end of the day, you have play the game with the cards you’re dealt.

"“If you asked me today, with the way they’ve played, I’d say ‘no.’ That’s tough because this is a team that’s built to win,” he said. “The last few years, they’ve won 90-plus games. The disappointment wasn’t about getting to the playoffs, it’s about getting to the World Series. But the injuries have really killed them.”"

And, if you think missing the postseason would be tough for Nats fans, it gets worse – or, at least it will, according to the ESPN commentator. He believes Bryce Harper will sign with either Philadelphia or Atlanta this offseason.