Washington Nationals: Staff predictions for 2018
By Ron Juckett
Drew Douglas, Site Expert
It is no secret that the Nats are an immensely talented team. They have been for a while, yet they have not even won a postseason series.
However, that changes this year. The Houston Astros won it all last year and improved this offseason, but the Nats will keep them from winning back-to-back titles in a thrilling World Series.
From the top to bottom, the Nats may have the best roster in the game. Unfortunately, injuries have been a recurring theme over the last few years. If they can remain relatively healthy throughout 2018, especially come October, this can be the year we finally party on South Capitol Street.
In 2016, the Cubs proved that no drought lasts forever. Dave Martinez was right in the middle of their historic run, serving as their bench coach, and he is now at the helm in DC. His positive attitude, analytics, and gimmicks are just what the doctor ordered for the Nats. When everyone gets tight in the postseason, Martinez will loosen the team up.
Besides winning the World Series, the ultimate accolade, several Nats will win individual awards.
Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, and Anthony Rendon will all finish in the top ten for MVP voting, with Turner bringing it home. If he can remain healthy, he could swipe 70 bags and crush 25 homers.
Pitching-wise, this is the year that Stephen Strasburg surpasses Max Scherzer. Strasburg is trending upwards while Scherzer is beginning to decline.
Scherzer will have a great year as usual, but Strasburg is the frontrunner to win the Cy Young Award.
2018 could be the final year in DC for several players, such as Harper, Daniel Murphy, and Gio Gonzalez, but it will be a memorable one.