Washington Nationals: Our Staff’s Predictions For The 2017 Season

Ron Juckett’s Prediction

Record: 92-70 (first in NL East)

Result: Lose in NLDS to Chicago Cubs

Although many of the concerns from the offseason are put to rest, the Nats will have a harder time repeating as division champions.

Yes, the Mets pitching staff is healthy, but the Nats are expecting a full year from Strasburg and Joe Ross. You know Bryce Harper will bounce back. Trea Turner continues to show he is a superstar on the rise and Adam Eaton will play well.

The division itself is stronger than last year. The Marlins bullpen is excellent and the Braves boast a young team playing without pressure. Two dangerous combinations.

Washington boasts a powerful offense that will win games along with a better than expected bullpen. Like last year, they are not beating themselves. With Danny Espinosa gone, the team will not strikeout as much, creating more opportunities to score.

This will be a fun team to watch night after night, especially Turner.

Where they get into trouble come October is with unproven pitching from the bullpen. Yes, it is deep with true talent but, unless Treinen beats expectations, the added pressure of the playoffs hurts.

With the starting pitching, there is a depth problem outside the front five and a serious injury can change a good year into average.

I think the current roster would struggle in a best-of-five short series. Repeating will be difficult, but doable. If it comes down to closers, Treinen comes short and so do the Nats in the end.