1 bold prediction for each National League East team in 2023

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Edwin Diaz #39 of the New York Mets speaks to the media before game one of the NL Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field on October 07, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Padres defeated the Mets 7-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Edwin Diaz #39 of the New York Mets speaks to the media before game one of the NL Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field on October 07, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Padres defeated the Mets 7-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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Oct 4, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Paolo Espino (30) reacts during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Paolo Espino (30) reacts during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Nationals bold prediction: The Nationals win less than 40 games

In 1904, the Washington Senators closed out a miserable season with an even more miserable record of 38-113 (they played fewer games back then). That 1904 team ranks as the seventh-worst ever according to win percentage. Nearly 120 years later, it’s hard to imagine what a team that dreadful looks like. Or is it?

The 2022 Washington Nationals were the worst team in the league by five games. They won 55 games, five less than the pathetic Oakland Athletics. Entering 2023, it is unlikely Washington will show any improvement. The team failed to make any remarkable moves in free agency. Their projected lineup resembles a Triple-A team, with a few exciting prospects sprinkled in, more than a big league club.

This year will mark their first full season after Juan Soto’s departure in August. After trading Soto on August 2, the Nationals won only 14 games over the next two months. Now imagine that level of ineptitude spread over a full season.

The Nationals received a promising group of young prospects after trading the core which won them a World Series in 2019. In a few years, they may make some noise, but not this season. This season is bound to be a historic disappointment.