NLEast_Washington Nationals

2014 Pittsburgh Gameday HQ

WASHINGTON NATIONALS 5-YEAR SCORECARD 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 WINS 86 98 80 69 59 RUNS PER GAME 4.1 4.5 3.9 4.0 4.4 RUNS ALLOWED PER GAME 3.9 3.7 4.0 4.6 5.4 OPENING DAY PAYROLL 118 92 68 66 60 Stephen Strasbug 2014 STRENGTHS: • Starting rotation, • Lineup power • Solid all-around fielding 2014 WEAKNESSES: • Bullpen depth • Plate discipline Those who considered the Nationals last year’s trendy World Series champions were disappointed when the team failed to even qualify for the postseason. The culprits were a drop in run production and a shaky bullpen, not to mention a significant falloff by the team’s starters. This is the best team in the NL East and needs to prove it. HITTING There’s no way this team should be scoring just over four runs a game, not with the firepower in this lineup. But while the Nats hit a bunch of homers, they didn’t necessarily drive in a lot of runs, thanks to a pedestrian .313 on-base percentage. There is too much talent on the team to continue in the wrong direction. Sluggers like Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman will continue to rake, and it’s time for Bryce Harper to make good on his substantial potential with a consistent, healthy season. Ian Desmond has rare power for a shortstop, while catcher Wilson Ramos demonstrated pretty good pop in half a season. First baseman Adam LaRoche fell off considerably after his strong 2012 campaign, but Denard Span proved to be a good pickup and led the majors with 11 triples. Don’t expect second baseman Anthony Rendon to tear it up, but he is a solid hitter out of the eight hole. NL EAST MITCHELL LAYTON/GETTY IMAGES SPORT


2014 Pittsburgh Gameday HQ
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