Washington Nationals: Predictions for Cubs-Nats NLDS

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Today, we give you our predictions for how the Washington Nationals will do in the NLDS

The day is finally here! Tonight, the Washington Nationals will begin their run at a World Series as they will play Game 1 of the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs. We have broke down everything there is to breakdown, the rosters for this series will soon be finalized, and now it is time to get to the games.

Throughout this article, each member of our writing team made their predictions for how this series will go. When you check out most of the predictions for this series, a lot of people think this is the most interesting matchup out of the four division series. With all of the close games these teams have played in 2016, expect all of these games to come down to the wire and leave you on the edge of your seat.

Will the Washington Nationals advance to the NLCS for the first time in their franchise history or will the Cubs continue their run on possibly winning back-to-back World Series titles. No National League team has won back-to-back titles since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds, who had the Big Red Machine.

In addition to our predictions, you will also find on this first page our special video podcast that we recorded last night. It was our special 200th episode of the DoDcast. Ron Juckett, Drew Douglas, and I talked about the series for an hour and took questions in our Youtube chat. We will be doing these kind of podcasts after every postseason game.

So, let’s get right to the predictions and start with the first of our staff writers, Brian Foley, who talks about all of the All-Stars that are in this series

(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Brian: Nationals in 4

Cubs-Nationals could be the most star-studded series of the entire postseason, with up to 21 former All-Stars expected to play a major role (not including possible MVP Anthony Rendon).

The pieces are certainly there for Chicago to advance to their third straight NLCS. The Cubs put together a remarkable second-half turnaround (108-win pace vs. a 79-win pace before the break), and Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo are two in-their-prime sluggers. Joe Maddon’s bullpen matchup game is ideal for playoff baseball, and Chicago’s roster is battle-tested following their wild World Series comeback win in 2016.

On the other side, a postseason cloud seemingly hangs over the Nationals, while injuries have worn down the entire organization.

Still, I’m sticking with Washington to take this series. The Max Scherzer–Stephen Strasburg duo is the best one-two punch in baseball. Bryce Harper can carry a team for an entire month. The bullpen, once a dumpster fire, is now a strength.

Chicago’s top horses, Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester, have shown signs of age and fatigue following the team’s deep 2016 run. The Cubs’ bullpen is vulnerable, and owns a 4.56 ERA since the All-Star break. Bryant and Rizzo can rake, but the surrounding parts do not match up with the Nationals’ offensive depth.

The Cubs are a legitimate October test, and in a five-game series, one bounce can flip the outcome. But in the end, Washington’s superior rotation, lineup, bullpen, and bench will prove too much for the defending champs.

Sam: Nationals in 4

The Washington Nationals are stacked. The order has drawn multiple comparisons to the fames Yankees Murderers Row. In the assumed starting lineup there’s four guys, almost five, with 20 plus home runs, four guys with above a .300 average and four guys with an above .900 OPS. Yes, these are the same four but thats as strong a middle of an order as any team has to offer.

They’re complimented by Trea Turner’s speed, Matt Wieters clutch moment ability (we all remember that Cubs grand slam), and Jayson Werth‘s veteran savvy and playoff experience.

All of that is before the bench is even looked at. Adam Lind, Wilmer Difo, Howie Kendrick, and potentially Victor Robles are a couple of players the Nats can use in late game situations. Yes the Cubs have Kris Bryant, but we have Anthony Rendon. They have Anthony Rizzo, but we have Ryan Zimmerman.

On paper, the Nats pitching outclasses the Cubs. I’ll take a one, two, three of Strasburg, Gonzalez, Scherzer any day. Once they come out, the Cubs will be left to face Albers, Kintzler, Madson and Doolittle.

If everyone is on, or at least close, the Nationals are headed to their first playoff series win. I’m calling them to take it in four, not three. There will be a game that falls apart, for whatever reason. There will be a nagging fear that the team is again headed for a first round exit but, they’re simply too good and too ready to lose again.

Drew: Nats in 5

The Washington Nationals and Cubs enter the NLDS with two very different backgrounds. Obviously, the Cubs ended their 108-year World Series drought last season. The Nats, on the other hand, have not won a postseason series since returning to DC in 2005.

However, I predict that the Nats’ drought will end this year. I believe that the Nats will beat the Cubs in five games.

Bullpens are extremely important in the postseason, especially in a short series. Since rebuilding their bullpen, the Nats have one of the best bullpens in the league.

The Nats also have an unsung hero in Matt Albers. We all saw the impact Andrew Miller made for the Indians last season, and Albers can play a similar role.

If Albers pitches in a Miller-esque role, it allows Brandon Kintzler, Ryan Madson, and Sean Doolittle to remain in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings. The three have pitched tremendously in their respective roles, so Albers becomes a crucial member of the bullpen.

Considering the Nats have four solid relievers in the back of the bullpen, they have a superior bullpen to that of the Cubs. Because of this, the Nats bullpen will be able to take over and lead the team to a series win.

Ron: Nationals in 5

The loss of Max Scherzer complicates things, but I believe the Nats will beat the Cubs in five tough games.

What impresses me most is how deep this team is in all areas. They can score at will. The pitching is strong enough to survive Scherzer not pitching until Game 3. And, you know how strong the bullpen is the second half of the year.

The Nats know what their mission is and have the tools to pull it off. As long as they take it one game at a time, they will come out as winners.

The Cubs have played a lot of baseball over the last three years and their older starters have a ton of mileage on their arms. Add Jake Arreta having injury issues with a World Series hangover from last year and Chicago is not as strong overall.

Stephen Strasburg has a big assignment in Game 1. But, he has prepared his entire career for that moment. With a Game 5 coming on full rest at home, there is no reason Strasburg can carry the Nats on his back and pitch his way into the NL Championship Series.

This team won 97 for a reason. No one player is above the team. Keep that mentality over the next week and good things will happen.

Expect a good start from Gonzalez in Game 2. He will thrive pitching at home.

For the first time since 1981, and in DC since 1924, the Nats advance bringing championship baseball to the district.

Ricky: Nationals in 5

When taking a look at this series, both of these teams appear to be pretty evenly matched. Both have good offenses, a strong starting rotation, and good closers at the back end of the game. However, there are a couple things that slightly tilt the series in the Nats favor.

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First, speed is going to play a factor in this series. The Nats have the ability to create runs via the stolen base. Trea Turner had seven steals against the Cubs in the regular season. Even without Miguel Montero catching for the Cubs, he’s going to get his fair share of steals. Don’t count out Victor Robles, Michael Taylor, or Brian Goodwin making an impact in that department as well.

Second, the Nats I think have the better bridge to their closers than the Cubs do. While Carl Edwards Jr. and Pedro Strop are capable of getting big outs, there’s something to be said about the way Brandon Kintzler and Ryan Madson have pitched in the seventh and eighth innings respectively. If Dusty Baker uses them right, they will play a big role this series.

Finally, despite Max Scherzer only being able to pitch one game in this series, I think he will save the day out of the bullpen in Game 5. He’s done it in the postseason before and that could be the spark the team needs to get them out of the first round.

Next: 5 X-Factors in NLDS

Also, everyone’s favorite $1 million man, Adam Lind, is going to have a clutch pinch-hit in this series that decides a critical game. Expect to be on pins and needles for the entire series, but the Nats will win this series and advance to the NLCS for the first time.

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