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2016 MLB season: NL East Preview

By Josh Barnhill

Mar 18, 2016; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) connects for an RBI double during a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2016; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) connects for an RBI double during a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2016; Lakeland, FL, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; Lakeland, FL, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington Nationals

The Nationals were a massive disappointment in 2015. They easily won the division in 2014 and more of the same was expected but not delivered.

Projected Lineup

CF Ben Revere
LF Jayson Werth
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
2B Daniel Murphy
3B Anthony Rendon
C Wilson Ramos
SS Danny Espinosa

The Mets have a great starting pitching staff but the Nationals may have the potential to be even better. With Gio Gonzalez, Matt Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Tanner Roark and young Joe Ross they could be lights out every night. Or they could have bumps in the road and suffer injuries like they have in the past which is what makes them a risky pick to win the division.

Projected Rotation

RHP Max Scherzer
LHP Gio Gonzalez
RHP Stephen Strasburg
RHP Tanner Roark
RHP Joe Ross

Bryce Harper lived up to all the hype in his career last year when he belted 42 home runs and hit at a .330 clip. He wasn’t the issue in 2015, but rather it was some poor years and injury-riddled campaigns of Jayson Werth, Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon. If those players are able to stay on the field the Nats offensive attack should do well.

In the off-season, Washington stole from foes in the division by picking up second baseman Daniel Murphy from the Mets and Johnathan Papelbon from the Phillies. There’s no reason this team shouldn’t bounce back under new manager Dusty Baker and grab a playoff spot.

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