Washington Nationals 2018 Season Review
By David Hill
Once again, the Washington Nationals are set to enter the season with high hopes. Will this be the year they finally get over the hump and make the World Series?
The 2017 campaign was yet another disappointment for the Washington Nationals. Yes, they ran roughshod over the NL East yet again, winning the division by 20.5 games and only spent three games without a share of first. Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg were legitimate Cy Young candidates. It seemed like a successful year in a bubble.
However, this was yet another season where the Nationals were unable to come away with the grand prize. They have yet to even appear in the World Series, let alone win the championship. Last year marked the fourth time in the past six years that they reached the postseason, and they have failed to emerge from the NLDS.
Perhaps this will be the year. The Nationals did not make many moves this offseason, mainly because they did not need to. The pitching staff is a strength, particularly in the rotation. Washington’s offense should be able to put up quite a few runs once again. Maybe a new approach with manager Dave Martinez, who spent years as Joe Maddon‘s bench coach, will get the Nationals over the hump.
Once again, it is World Series or Bust for the Washington Nationals. With Bryce Harper in his walk year, the pressure to win will be even higher.