Prove it...

C Evan Gattis celebrates with LF J Upton on Sunday afternoon: Photo/ESPN

 Going into this past weekend series the Washington Nationals (7-5) who were better on paper, didn't show they were better when it came to on the field play. The Nationals will still be kings of the NL East until another team knocks them off at the end of the season. The Atlanta Braves (11-1) have a tremendous shot to do that as they went into Nationals Park and made a big statement sweeping the Nats in the three game series and outscoring Washington 18-5. The amazing stat that I find interesting is after the second inning of Friday night's game, the Atlanta pitching staff only allowed one more run the entire rest of the series. And all this is being done with starting 1B Freddie Freeman, starting C Brian McCann on the disabled list, and a few extra bats in the lineup that are stale. Center fielder BJ Upton had 3 hits in the Sunday affair and hopefully coming out of his slump.

So the Nationals think they are a better team, and according to reports don't think Atlanta is good, but just hot. All I can say is okay, I will take not being a good team, but just hot the rest of the season until we hold that World Series trophy in October. Again, it is still early, but if this is any indication how the rest of the season is going to pan out for Atlanta, this is going to be a fun ride for the team and their fans. #AlwaysBrave.

 Don't forget to follow me on twitter @makirkley.

Mark A. Kirkley: twitter @makirkley