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Nationals now World Series favorites after Max Scherzer signing

By Robby Sabo

Sep 26, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (37) in the dugout before the game against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (37) in the dugout before the game against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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After the signing of prized free-agent pitcher Max Scherzer, the Washington Nationals have now become the odds on favorite to win the 2015 World Series.

With the Super Bowl only two-weeks away, and the end of the real football season over as we know it, spring-time can now enter our minds and our dreams.

The smell of freshly-cut grass and the peanut guy yelling at the top of his lungs is creeping up on us ever so slightly.

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Nothing beats the sights and sounds of a new baseball season. Hope and optimism ring true for all 30 cities that host a Major League squad.

One division that will have its fans feeling very optimistic is the National League East.

The Atlanta Braves have went through wholesale changes trading away Justin Upton and Jason Heyward while acquiring Shelby Miller and a bunch of propects. The Miami Marlins decided to lock up stud Giancarlo Stanton and the Philadelphia Phillies are well, still the pathetic Phillies after realizing they still have not moved on from their past.

With the return of ace Matt Harvey from Tommy John surgery, the New York Mets will have one of the better young rotations in all of baseball. Rivaling them will be the team that lead the NL in wins last year with 98, the Washington Nationals.

Their signing of prized free-agent hurler Max Scherzer has now bolstered an already dominant staff that featured Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and and Ryan Zimmermann.

Scherzer, 30, pitched to an 18-5 record and a 3.15 ERA with the Detroit Tigers last season. Pretty good numbers considering the pressure of coming off a Cy Young award in 2013.

Despite another disappointing playoff ouster at the hands of the defending champion Giants, Vegas has recognized the power of this signing.

The Nationals are now the favorites to take home the 2015 World Series Championship with 6/1 odds.

Coming in a close second is the Los Angeles Dodgers at 8/1.

The following odds for the rest of the Top 10 from Bovada:

"Boston Red Sox: 12/1Chicago Cubs: 12/1Los Angeles Angels: 12/1St. Louis Cardinals: 12/1Detroit Tigers: 14/1Seattle Mariners: 16/1San Francisco Giants: 18/1Toronto Blue Jays: 18/1Baltimore Orioles: 20/1Chicago White Sox: 20/1"

The once mighty New York Yankees are currently 14th in the Majors at a 25/1 mark.

For Washington this upcoming season, it is no longer acceptable to have a great regular season. They’ll need to move the needle in the playoffs.

After a fantastic 2012 season for which they burst onto the scene, they also suffered an early round exit at the hands of the St. Louis Cardinals in five-games.

For Scherzer and company the sky is the limit, but the pressure will be on all season long.

H/T Sports Illustrated

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