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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Jun 23, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) throws a pitch in the third inning against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) throws a pitch in the third inning against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Starting Rotation

Look up and down the Nationals’ rotation and try to point out a player who would have a hard time being the No. 1 or No. 2 man in any other team’s rotation. Sure, these guys aren’t exactly having their best pitching seasons, but the potential to be great is there.

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    • First, you have Max Scherzer. The former Tiger has been a staple in Cy Young talks for years now and there’s a solid chance he could win it again this year. He’s currently 11-9 with a 2.73 ERA and 194 strikeouts this season — not many teams can figure him out.

    Next, there’s Stephen Strasburg. The young prodigy has been great throughout his career, but is struggling a bit this season. Strasburg has posted a 6-6 record with a lackluster 4.62 ERA. However, he did look great in his last two starts after sitting for a month. Good things are on the horizon.

    Jordan Zimmerman has been solid this season despite not being a name that’s really mentioned enough with the Nationals rotation. He has an ERA of 3.44, has recorded 120 strikeouts and has played better than his 9-8 record indicates.

    Gio Gonzalez has really stepped his game up in the second half of the year. In fact, he had posted an incredibly effective 1.88 ERA with a 3-0 record since the All-Star break before a recent six-run outing. Heck, he had won his past five decisions before that and has lowered his ERA from 4.82 to 3.86 over the past two months.

    Lastly, you have the ever-reliable Doug Fister. His numbers aren’t what they have been in years past, but he’s still a guy you can run out there every fifth day and expect a win. Despite his 4-7 record and 4.45 ERA, he still has a chance to rebound. He might be getting new life in the bullpen, though.

    This rotation can be scary-good.

    Next: Bryce Harper

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