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Washington Nationals: Handicapping the odds in each award race

By Drew Douglas

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals holds up the 2015 MVP trophy during a ceremony before the start of the Nationals home opener against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on April 7, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals holds up the 2015 MVP trophy during a ceremony before the start of the Nationals home opener against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park on April 7, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Manager of the Year

The Manager of the Year Award goes to the best manager in each league. A few Nats managers have won this award in the past, as Davey Johnson won in 2012 and Matt Williams won in 2014.

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In his two seasons with the Nats, Dusty Baker has done a tremendous job. He took a talented team in shambles and turned them back into the force that they were. He has led the Nats to back-to-back division titles, something that had never been done since returning to DC.

Last season, Baker finished third in National League Manager of the Year voting, behind Dave Roberts and Joe Maddon. This season, however, he has built a more compelling case.

The Nats won 97 games this season, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at everyone that played for them this season. They battled injuries all season, and required countless players to make it through the year.

Baker is one of the best managers in the league, and got the most out of every player to don the Curly W this season. He believes in all of his players, which gives them confidence and enables them to perform at a high level.

Because of this, Baker deserves to win the National League Manager of the Year Award. However, he most likely will not win. It is a tough field this year, with Roberts and Maddon remaining in the conversation and other managers, such as Craig Counsell, Torey Lovullo, and Bud Black entering the picture.

Baker will most likely not win the award, but is very capable of leading the Nats to win the ultimate award, a World Series trophy.

Next: Bryce Harper will improve in October

The Nationals won 97 games this season, which was thanks to many outstanding individual performances. When the regular season award winners are announced in November, expect the Nats to be well-represented.

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