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Washington Nationals 2020 Season Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates

By Max Rayman

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 14: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the seventh inning of the game three of the National League Championship Series against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 14, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 14: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the seventh inning of the game three of the National League Championship Series against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on October 14, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The Pirates have fully embraced a rebuild and are ready to start over in order to make it back to October.

The Rundown

The Pirates entered the 2019 season with the expectations they would be able to contend for a Wild Card spot. Instead they limped into the All Star break with a record of 44-45. While they were still hanging around in the Wild Card race and the NL Central, the Pirates fell apart in the second half. They finished the season 25-48 which led to the team hiring long time manager Clint Hurdle, as well as GM Neil Huntington, and team President Frank Coonelly.

The Pirates were also caught in the scandal involving lock down closer and former National Felipe Vasquez. He is facing over 20 felony charges. He was one of the few constants on the team.

Now trying to put the past behind them, the Pirates have finally embraced a rebuild. They started this off by shipping out outfielder Starling Marte to the Arizona Diamondbacks for prospects Brennan Malone and Liover Peguero. They will help bolster a farm system that was ranked 22nd by Bleacher Report. The real question for Pittsburgh is what to do with star Josh Bell. Bell is only 26 and has four years left on his contract. He is coming off of a monster season where he hit .277, with 37 homers, 116 RBI’s, and an OPS of .936. However, owner Bob Nutting is notorious for being frugal. On one hand, locking up the 26 year old now will allow for the Pirates to have someone to build around. On the other hand, trading Bell who is just entering his prime with four years left on his contract will allow for the Pirates to receive a king’s ransom and jump start their rebuild.

Pittsburgh’s 2019 record: 69-93

Washington’s record vs. Pittsburgh: 4-3

Pittsburgh added/re-signed: Luke Maile, Guillermo Heredia,

Pittsburgh lost: Melky Cabrera*, Lonnie Chisenhall*, Francisco Liriano, Starling Marte,

*Is still a free agent

Nationals to Watch

Stephen Strasburg has owned the Pirates over the course of his career. After all, he made his MLB debut against them where he struck out 14 over seven innings. Strasburg will be looking to build on arguably the best year of his career and continuing his dominance over the Pirates is a start. Due to roster overhaul, the current Pirates roster hasn’t faced Strasburg as often. However in 42 at bats, the Pirates are hitting .190 with an OPS of .499 against the 31 year old. Strasburg has more strikeouts (9) than hits allowed (8) against the Pirates. As the pitching staff is the Nationals biggest strength, the team will need their ace to take care of business.

2020 Series Prediction

June 22-25 in D.C.

July 17-19 @ Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is just starting their rebuild while the Nationals are looking to defend their title. Washington should run away with this series.

Prediction: Washington wins season series 5-2

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