The Phenom and The Four Aces Ready to Take D.C. By Storm Once Again

The Phenom and the Four Aces Ready to Take D.C. By Storm Once Again

 

 

 

2013 was a year the Nationals want to forget about. Coming into the season they were a favorite to reach the World Series, coming off their first playoff appearance in Washington. Once the season started the injuries began to mount, the role players and complimentary pieces couldn’t carry the team, the bench was as unproductive as it could be, and the bullpen was nowhere near as effective as it should have been.

As long as this team can stay healthy they should be the favorite in the NL East. They acquired Nate McLouth to help shore up the bench, along with moving Danny Espinosa to the bench as well to make room for Anthony Rendon for the whole season. Rendon should be a very welcome presence in the lineup with the experience he gained last year and his continued maturation. I see Wilson Ramos having a big year this year and doing a lot of work to help Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth carry the offensive load. If Harper can stay injury free not only can he be an MVP but he could help lead this team to the best record in baseball.

I would just like to take a second to praise Jayson Werth for everything he has done in Washington. Is he overpaid? Absolutely he is but when he signed with Washington it was when Strasburg and Harper were nothing but hype and in order to attract a free agent of his caliber the team had to overpay. He comes to the park every day and plays hard and even if he isn’t putting up stats that match his paychecks he is doing one hell of a job being the player he always has been. He is without a doubt one of the most underrated players in the game today as far as I’m concerned.

As much as the offense needs to improve, which as I said I believe it will because they will stay healthy, the pitching is what will determine where this team ends the season. Strasburg is completely healed and ready to go, Gio Gonzalez will continue to be a solid starter, the most underrated pitcher in the game Jordan Zimmermann is a bulldog and could be an ace on many other teams. Add in Doug Fister who should have great success in the National League, and his ability to pitch deep into games and eat up innings and the bullpen will not have to be relied upon as heavily as last season.

Atlanta will regress from last year and the rest of the division is nowhere near as talented. So as long as everything goes well for them they will be playing October baseball. With their pitching staff in a playoff format who knows how deep of a run they can make. One thing is for certain, it’s going to be a fun summer in D.C.

We will be back tomorrow with a look at the Minnesota Twins and their revamped rotation. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @changingspeeds for all our coverage of the national pastime.