Nationals 2020 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2020 Washington Nationals predictions? The Nationals have some extra time to get over their hangovers. Will a postponed Opening Day help?
MLB Nationals Predictions & Handicapping Insight
Washington is going to roll it back on most fronts. The veteran core of Ryan Zimmermann, Kurt Suzuki, Max Scherzer, Howie Kendrick, Asdrubal Cabrera, Adam Eaton and Yan Gomes returns.
The youth movement is coming into its own; Victor Robles, Juan Soto and Trea Turner all stand to just keep getting better.
Combine it all with the same great starting rotation and you have a team to feel good about in its title-defense season.
2020 MLB Team Previews – Washington Nationals
- Washington Nationals 2020 National League East Odds: +225
- Washington Nationals 2020 National League Odds: +800
- Washington Nationals 2020 World Series Odds: +1800
Key Additions:
- Starlin Castro
- Will Harris
Castro stands out as the only name with any public familiarity but he’s less likely to have the sort of impact Will Harris will out of the bullpen.
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Harris got $24 million over three seasons after five terrific seasons with the Astros. He would have been questionable for Opening Day but the postponement will help with that. He gives the Astros a third veteran who has experience in the late innings and can even close a game along with Daniel Hudson and Sean Doolittle.
Ryne Harper came over in a trade with the Twins to add depth to the bullpen, as does, potentially, Fernando Abad, who may be damaged goods but got a 1-year deal to answer that question for certain. David Hernandez is in the same situation.
Eric Thames will play some first base and hit some homers. Emilio Bonifacio adds organizational depth as a defender.
Key Losses:
- Anthony Rendon
- Matt Adams
Rendon won’t be replaced. He was the MVP in the National League through the World Series but there’s still enough left, especially in the form of young players who will continue to improve.
Thames will take Adams’ spot and the losses in the bullpen of Koda Glover and Fernando Rodney have been more than absorbed with all the additions Washington made out there.
2020 Washington Nationals Predictions: Projected Lineup:
- Trea Turner SS
- Adam Eaton OF
- Juan Soto OF
- Eric Thames 1B
- Victor Robles OF
- Starlin Castro 2B
- Kurt Suzuki C
- Carter Kieboom 3B
With Rendon walking, Carter Kieboom, a first round pick in 2016. He made his Major League debut last season and homered but didn’t get much action after that.
It would be one thing if he were expected to do big things as a rookie but he’s going to hit at the bottom of the lineup and get plenty of days off with the Nationals’ veteran depth behind him. He’s in a good spot.
2020 Washington Nationals Predictions: Projected Rotation:
- Max Scherzer
- Stephen Strasburg
- Patrick Corbin
- Anibal Sanchez
- Joe Ross
- Austin Voth
The rotation returns with the same names, just a year older. That shouldn’t be a problem for Strasburg and Corbin, who are still in their primes.
Scherzer started to show a gradual decline last season but he’s still an ace. Sanchez seems to be getting better with age.
So why not run it back? Ross and Voth offer depth at the tail end.
2020 Washington Nationals Predictions: Projected Closer:
- Daniel Hudson
- Sean Doolittle
In plenty of cases, it would be a cause for concern to have two closers but this tandem works so well. Both vets are smart and unselfish. They understand that Manager Dave Martinez will play matchups and give both guys enough rest throughout the season.
What both guys will have more of this season is set-up help. Harris and Tanner Rainey as a duo is as good as it gets and the depth continues from there.
2020 Washington Nationals Predictions: 93 Wins and second in the NL East (Bet Now at any of our reviewed MLB Sportsbooks!)
This team radiates good vibes. It may have had its moment last season, roll out of bed whenever the season does begin, and just go .500 all season.
It may really surprise a lot of people who think the loss of Rendon is going to mean a downfall, though. Everyone who remains will want to prove Rendon wasn’t that much of the winning formula, sort of like the Toronto Raptors and Kawhi Leonard this season in the NBA.
It wasn’t as if last season was the smoothest. If the pitching staff stays as healthy as last season, which is a bit of wishful thinking, this team has the stuff to push Atlanta in the division. I love the fact that it focused on small moves and adding quality pieces to the bullpen especially in the offseason.
What do you think of our 2020 Washington Nationals predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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