Washington Nationals News: Best and worst case scenarios for Nats in 2016
By Pablo Roa
Today’s District Daily features stories on the best and worse case scenarios for the Washington Nationals in 2016 and manager Dusty Baker‘s extensive Opening Day experience.
Good evening DoD readers, and welcome to today’s District Daily. Get caught up on the latest Nats news and opinions with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web below.
In today’s Daily, the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes discusses the best and worse case scenarios for several Nationals players heading into the 2016 season. In her article, the first of The Post’s two “best and worst case scenarios” stories, Janes discusses what we can expect for players like Bryce Harper and Ben Revere.
As Janes writes, a lot of the Nationals’ potential success or failure this season depends on whether the team can stay healthy and players can perform to their career norms. Last season, the team failed in both of those — injuries killed the Nationals’ chances of success early in the season, and several players performed well below the level they’ve shown earlier in their careers.
For the Nationals to return to the postseason in 2016, they’ll need players like Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth to bounce back from injury-riddled seasons. Not only will players have to stay healthy, but they’ll also have to be productive both on the plate and on the field. If the team can do both of those things this season, they should be able to compete.
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Also in today’s Daily, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson writes about Dusty Baker’s extensive experience with MLB Opening Days. As Ladson writes, prior to today’s opener against the Braves, the new Nationals manager had already participated in 42 big league Opening Days.
Be sure to check out both articles below, they’re definitely worth a read. And as always, stay tuned to DoD for all your Washington Nationals needs.
The 2016 Washington Nationals: Best and worst case scenarios, Part I
(Chelsea Janes, Washington Post)
Monday afternoon, about 640 miles south of their home on South Capitol Street, the Washington Nationals will begin their 2016 season. They will do so against the Braves, with Max Scherzer, and against Julio Teheran. They will do so hunting redemption, with a far different look than they had at this time last year. They will do so as the underdogs in the National League East, a position history indicates they prefer.
At this time every season, when potential is endless and the possibilities numerous, Nationals Journal provides an over-the-top examination of the most outrageously wonderful and horrifically horrible seasons each Nationals player could have. These are not predictions. Read full article here.
Dusty no stranger to thrill of Opening Day
ATLANTA — Nationals manager Dusty Baker has been involved in 42 Opening Days during his Major League career and, on Monday, he reminisced about his first Opening Day in 1971 as a member of the Braves. It took place in Cincinnati.
Baker was supposed to start the season with Triple-A Richmond. It never happened. Baker was at a Marine Corps meeting when he was told to meet the Braves in Cincinnati to face the Reds.
Instead, the Braves sent outfielder Tommie Aaron, Hank’s younger brother, and Darrell Evans down to make room for Baker. Read full article here.