The Washington Nationals finished 2014 with the National League's best overall record (96-66), home record (51-30), and run differential (+131). However, none of that translated over to the NL Division Series where the Nats were bounced by the eventual World Series champion San Francisco Giants in four games.
Washington has reloaded in a major way with the additions of Max Scherzer and Asdrubal Cabrera, but will it be enough to bring a title to D.C.? Here's our 3 Bold Predictions For The 2015 Washington Nationals.
3. Washington Will Trade Jordan Zimmermann By The Deadline
The Nats' rotation is so stacked that Tanner Roark (15-10, 2.85 ERA in 2014) is likely to be relegated to the bullpen. With the signing of Max Scherzer and Zimmermann just a year away from a huge payday in free agency, we see Washington offloading Zimmermann (and the rest of his $16.5 million salary for the year) in a rare rental-for-rental swap with an American League contender.
2. Bryce Harper Puts Everything Together
The Bryce Harper of the 2014 MLB Playoffs is the Bryce Harper that Nats fans hope shows up for 150 games or so in 2015. It's easy to forget that the guy is just 22 -- an age where most MLB prospects are still slogging their way through the minors. This is the year Harper puts the complete package together and delivers on his MVP potential.
1. The Nationals Will Fall Short Of The World Series
Call it a gut instinct or call it worry based on past struggles in the postseason. The team that everyone and their mother are picking to roll through the National League to the Fall Classic has plenty going for it. The lineup's solid 1-through-8 and the rotation has potential to be one of baseball's best. However, there's plenty of questions about the bullpen without Tyler Clippard in the fold, and the Nats are just an injury or two away from entering a slugfest with their rivals in a deep NL Central. We're just not sold on the story going according to plan. That just wouldn't be baseball.
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