Fansided

5 reasons the Washington Nationals will win it all in 2015

By Connor Muldowney

Aug 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Yunel Escobar (5) and left fielder Jayson Werth (28) celebrate defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-3 at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Yunel Escobar (5) and left fielder Jayson Werth (28) celebrate defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-3 at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) in the dugout against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) in the dugout against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Playoff Experience

You may be wondering, how does a team with two playoff appearances in its existence have postseason experience to fall back on?

Well, it’s simple. The team that won the NL East one year ago and lost its first-round matchup 3-1 is basically returning everyone, and looks to avenge its disappointing showing from 2014. Bryce Harper, Doug Fister, Gio Gonzalez, Stephen Strasburg, Ian Desmond and Ryan Zimmerman — those are all guys seeking revenge and it will be oh so sweet once they get it.

The playoff experience doesn’t stop there. This team added two huge pieces over the past year who weren’t part of last year’s short-lived run.

Max Scherzer was added in the offseason to ensure that the Nationals have the best starting rotation in the National League, if not all of baseball. Washington has not quite seen the success that it would have hoped, but Scherzer has more than lived up to the billing. He gained plenty of playoff experience while helping the Detroit Tigers win multiple AL Central crowns.

The other guy is closer Jonathan Papelbon. He was on the 2007 Boston Red Sox team that won the World Series and he closed 37 games for them that season.

Washington is loaded with playoff experience new and old. Nothing benefits a team more than having “been there before.”

Next: Starting Rotation

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