Strasburg, Nationals out to reclaim NL East hold
For once, the Nationals in the Bryce Harper era are being overlooked. Gone are the days of picking Washington to win the NL East thanks to the resurgent Mets.
But are we disregarding them too strongly?
This team, with one of the best players in baseball and top five pitching combos, could win 95 games. They could also finish .500.
I do know this: Stephen Strasburg is ready for the regular season. In one of the few times I watched a full spring game, Strasburg was electric. His changeup nearly hit 90, he painted the fastball on the corners and got out of a bases loaded jam with ease and rolling a double play grounder. Projections systems love him this year – sub 3.00 ERA – and I do as well.
Danny Espinosa will slide over to shortstop in 2016, despite playing just 59 career games at the position. However, in 50 innings there last year, Espinosa did not commit an error. Postseason magic man Daniel Murphy will be an upgrade at second base, a consistent middle infielder the Nationals have failed to produce.
I’m more bullish on Washington than most people. If the New York aces regress, the Nationals can most certainly contend in the division.
Next: 10-6: Dodgers outside the Top 5?