NL East

The Atlanta Braves fired general manager Frank Wren on Monday after seven seasons with the club. MLB.com writer Mark Bowman confirmed the news:

Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond exited Tuesday night's 6-4 win over the Atlanta Braves after the fifth inning with what's currently being described as back tightness.

Ryan Zimmerman is nearing recovery from his hamstring injury just in time for the Washington Nationals' foray into October baseball. 

The Washington Post's Adam Kilgore provided an encouraging update on the 29-year-old third baseman's rehab:

As Comcast SportsNet's Mark Zuckerman added, he was looking good during batting practice, as well:

Watching the Atlanta Braves for the past couple of months has been like watching a train wreck in super-slow motion. Every few games, you can see a few fans jump off in anticipation of the inevitable crash. Every time a runner is left in scoring position, a fan changes the channel.

The critics have always been there, picking, prodding, scoffing.

Jimmy Rollins left Monday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after suffering an injury on a triple in the bottom of the fourth inning. According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, the Philadelphia Phillies shortstop strained his left hamstring:

The New York Mets are desperately trying to stick around in the NL postseason race, even though it will be difficult to overcome what is currently a 9.5-game wild-card deficit.

The team, though, seems more ready to really compete in 2015, particularly with all the young pitching it has. However, this is not to say that the Mets are perfectly fit as is to be a postseason contender next season. There are certain areas that the front office will need to address for the future.

The Washington Nationals won a 10th consecutive game Thursday, matching the franchise record for longest winning streak, per ESPN Stats & Info.

The 2014 season is nearing its final month, so that means it may be time to start thinking of what the New York Mets' 2015 team could look like.

Most of the current team should return next season unless any potential trades happen during the offseason. Some trades at certain positions would be nice, but if next season's roster is very similar or identical to the current roster, here is what a likely 2015 Opening Day lineup could look like.

In the immediate aftermath of Thursday evening's team-record-tying 10th straight victory, it's apparent that the Washington Nationals are finally living up to their potential and putting the rest of the National League, if not all of baseball, on notice.