Not very bold prediction

[Ender]

The Nationals finish under .500. Most overrated team in baseball going into this season. This is not anywhere near a playoff team.

[AussieDodger]

I disagree.
A couple of bounce-back seasons from Werth and LaRoche, more development from Espinosa and if the rotation is steady and doesn't commit hari-kari, they contend.

I put $50 on them about a month ago @ $31 to win it all, now they're paying $26.

The 2nd wildcard (announcement tomorrow) may benefit them as well

[J35J]

What is it you don't like about them?


The offense needs to have a couple guys bounceback but I don't think that's much of a stretch to expect some improvement there. Their starters are good and bullpen is solid. Not making the playoffs may not happen but I'd be surprised if they didn't at least win 82 games.

[Skin Blues]

I don't think they're over-rated. I haven't heard people talk about them like they're playoff favourites. I would bet on them being a .500 team but I doubt they'll have a shot at the playoffs because the Phillies are so dominant and the second place team in the Central will be tough to beat. If there's hype, it's probably because they have two of the biggest prospects in baseball in Strasburg and Harper, and have shown a willingness to toss around large amounts of cash.

[Pogotheostrich]

If we are talking about overrated teams in the NL East, I'll take the Marlins. I still don't think they have a shot at the playoffs even with 2 WC.

[Tavish]

If there's hype, it's probably because they have two of the biggest prospects in baseball in Strasburg and Harper, and have shown a willingness to toss around large amounts of cash.

I think it is abit more than just those two, although those are the biggest draws for the casual baseball fan.

Over-rating them would be saying they have a good shot at battling the Phillies for the division. It is a pretty bold prediction to think they are worse than they were last season when they replaced around 500 innings of Gorzelanny, Marquis, Wang, and spot starters with 500 innings from Strasburg, Gonzalez, and Jackson. The offense will just need to be around league average for them to have a decent shot at competing for a wild card. If Harper and or Rendon are ready to go by midseason they have a solid shot at being above league average offensively.

[Y`s Guy]

No way, Ender. I just look at that pitching staff and i am confident they'll win 85 at least. Stras, Zimmerman and GHio and solid as hell and Lidge, Clippard and Storen should nail down many of those wins.

Bats be damned. The pitching will dictate a lot.

[Ender]

I haven't heard people talk about them like they're playoff favourites

They are the trendy playoff pick this year. Every year there is one and they almost never pan out. The rotation is decent but overrated, the offense isn't very good, the defense isn't very good. That division is going to be tough in general. They might make .500 but I'll eat my hat if they make the playoffs, if they break .500 it will be 1 or 2 games.

[jorgesca]

Can't find a rotation I like better in the NL other than the Phillies'

[Ender]

Can't find a rotation I like better in the NL other than the Phillies'

Then you sure like their rotation a lot more than I do~. No way I'd take them over say the Brewers or the Giants or the Cardinals off the top of my head. Part of it is probably my low opinion of Edwin Jackson and Lannan though and the fact that at least 1 and most likely 2 of their starting 5 will go down with injuries since they have so many health risks.