Hot-hitting Donovan Solano leads the slumping Reds into D.C. to battle the Nationals

Donovan Solano has been the Reds best hitter this season.

In all honesty Reds Country, I can't believe Donovan Solano is still a member of the Reds. In a season where positives have been few and far between, Donnie Barrels has produced highlight reel material nearly on a nightly basis in the batter's box.

Since making his season debut on June 22nd following a hamstring injury he suffered during spring training, the infielder is hitting .333 in 171 at-bats. However, Solano has been almost unstoppable over his last 15 games.

Slashing .414/.462/.500, the 34-year-old Colombian has been punishing opposing pitching staffs. For a Cincinnati offense lacking the offensive presence of Tyler Stephenson and Joey Votto, Donnie Barrels has posed more than a formidable threat.

What makes Donovan Solano such a difficult out is he hits either left or right-handed pitching. In addition, he swings the bat equally as well at Great American Ball Park as on the road.

This season, he's hitting .355 against southpaws while batting .324 versus righties. When he's in the Queen City, Solano sports an incredible .354 average compared to a .315 mark on the road. Needless to say, the man is a hitting machine.

Prediction: The Reds get the better of the Nats.

Let's state the obvious, this is a series for die-hard Reds and Nationals fans only. However, one fanbase is clearly going to be happier than the other late Sunday afternoon.

Reds Country, this will be a weekend to enjoy as the Redlegs take two of three from Washington in the nation's capital to conclude a 10-game road trip before welcoming the streaking first-place St. Louis Cardinals to GABP on Monday night.