Fansided

Here’s how every MLB team will finish in 2018

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 28: Manny Machado
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 28: Manny Machado /
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WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 16: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals bats against the St Louis Cardinals during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 16, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Nationals defeated the Cardinals 4-2. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – MARCH 16: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals bats against the St Louis Cardinals during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 16, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Nationals defeated the Cardinals 4-2. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

Washington Nationals: 92.5 wins

  • Baseball Prospectus: 88 wins
  • FanGraphs: 90 wins

The Nationals have won 95 games or more in four of the past six seasons. Of course, that has not translated to a single playoff series victory, but Washington has one more year to work on that before Bryce Harper can test free agency.

Working around a bullpen that was unwatchable at best for three months last year, the Nats still won 97 games and blew the doors off the NL East with a dynamic offense that could be even better in 2018. Adam Eaton will be back to play a full season, while Matt Wieters looks re-energized behind the plate. Catcher was the only weak link in the Nats lineup last season.

On paper, the Nationals are in the running for most complete team in the National League. The issues in the bullpen that plagued the team in the early going last year have been remedied with the addition of Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson and Brandon Kintzler. There is nothing that can slow down the Nationals — until the NLDS.

Conclusion: The Nats have the best one-two punch at the top of their rotation in the National League in Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. Those two alone are good for 15-20 games over .500. Washington tops 92.5 wins easily.

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