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What looked like a promising season for the Washington Nationals went south in a hurry during June and July, and now the team is back in a familiar position of

WASHINGTON – A Cincinnati Reds team that looked like a playoff contender in New York pitched like a team making October vacation plans by the time they got done losing 10-8 to the not-good Nationals in Washington in the opener of a three-game series Monday.

The Washington Nationals have received calls from "several teams" regarding a trade for starting pitcher Mackenzie Gore, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

ESPN's Jeff Passan discussed the possibility of the Chicago Cubs going all-in at the trade deadline and acquiring Washington Nationals pitcher MacKenzie Gore.

At the beginning of the season, this would be an unimaginable thing to say, but the Washington Nationals look like a team poised to lose 100 games. They are on pace to lose 99 right now, but have been sinking like a stone ever since the start of June.

The Chicago Cubs have been labeled the best fit for a surprise trade candidate, and he would almost certainly be a boost to the Chicago rotation.

Josh Bell hit his 13th home run, Jacob Young and CJ Abrams contributed RBI doubles during the decisive fifth inning, and the Washington Nationals defeated the Cincinnati Reds 6-1.