Nationals 2018 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2018 Washington Nationals predictions? The Washington Nationals are ready for another big year, but if they don’t win the World Series this is going to be considered another disappointing season.
MLB Nationals Predictions & Handicapping Insight
Last year they had another first round exit and with all the talent on this team that just isn’t acceptable anymore.
Is this the year they finally take that next step forward or will they be losing early again and Bryce Harper runs in free agency?
2018 MLB Team Previews – Washington Nationals
- National League East -375
- National League +375
- World Series +900
Key Additions:
- 1B Matt Adams
- OF Howie Kendrick
- RHP Brandon Kintzler
- C Miguel Montero
After such a bad finish to yet another season, many expected that the Washington Nationals would be really aggressive in free agency.
But they were actually quite the opposite and were very quiet in free agency.
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They were able to pick up good bench guys that could be key if the Nationals suffer as many injuries as they have the last few years.
Key Losses:
- RHP Matt Albers
- 1B Adam Lind
- LHP Oliver Perez
- OF Jayson Werth
Jayson Werth was one of the most beloved Nationals but his loss in terms of what he provides the team won’t be that felt.
As much as they didn’t do anything in free agency, they also didn’t lose a ton that needed to be replaced.
Nationals Predictions: Projected Lineup:
- LF Adam Eaton
- SS Trea Turner
- RF Bryce Harper
- 3B Anthony Rendon
- 2B Daniel Murphy
- 1B Ryan Zimmerman
- C Matt Wieters
- CF Michael Taylor
On paper this lineup should be one of the best in baseball. Bryce Harper is the key to this lineup and it will go as he goes.
For the lineup it all comes down to getting hot up front for the big bats to come up. They need Adam Eaton and Trea Turner to get on base a lot on steal a lot of bases.
As much as this team is going to like the longball it’s also important that this team does a good job of manufacturing runs.
They can’t rely on the longball because playoff time when they are facing tough competition they are going to need to manufacture runs.
Nationals Predictions: Projected Rotation:
- RHP Max Scherzer
- RHP Stephen Strasburg
- LHP Gio Gonzalez
- RHP Tanner Roark
- RHP A.J. Cole
Like the starting lineup, this is also one of the best looking pitching staffs in baseball. It all starts up top with Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer.
Last year Gio Gonzalez had one of his best seasons as a National and they need him to have something similar to that this year.
Nationals Predictions: Projected Closer:
- LHP Sean Doolittle
Sean Doolittle came over from the Oakland Athletics at the trade deadline last year but was a setup man for the rest of the year.
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This year though he will move back to his preferred role as the closer. With as many opportunities that he should get this year with the Nationals if he can continue this success, he will be one of the best closers in the league.
2018 Washington Nationals Prediction:
The biggest question for the Nationals is if they will win the World Series, and that answer I think is no. They should have no issue winning a weak National League East, but that will actually hurt them in the postseason.
They won’t be as challenged as teams like the Cubs and the Nationals.
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I think they will make it to the National League Championship Series but then lose to the Dodgers or Cubs. It will once again be another disapointing season for this team.
What do you think of our 2018 Washington Nationals predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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