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2016 MLB Postseason: Washington Nationals Team Preview
Strengths
The 95-win Washington Nationals can somehow liken themselves to the San Francisco Giants, as they just made the playoffs for the third-straight even-numbered year. Behind a stellar pitching rotation and some big bats, the Nats have a well-rounded ball club equipped to go the distance this October.
Even though he’s cooled off after a scorching start in 2016, Bryce Harper remains the team’s most electric batter in the lineup. The 23-year-old phenom has 24 homers, 85 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and an OPS of .819 for the season. Harper’s number of long balls are relatively low, but that shouldn’t bother Washington fans at all, as the team has a total of 202 home runs – 11th in the majors – courtesy of a couple of key, 20-HR hitters in Daniel Murphy (25) and Danny Espinosa (23).
But beyond their solid hitting crew, the Nationals have an even better pitching corps to complement their offense. On the top of their list is Max Scherzer, who was the only starting pitcher in the National League to win 20 games and finished with an MLB-best 284 strikeouts. Scherzer is joined by a resurgent Tanner Roark, who notched career-bests in wins (16) and ERA (2.83) this regular season. Last but not least, closer Mark Melancon and his 47 saves (second-most in the NL) round out Washington’s imposing pitching squad.
Weaknesses
Unfortunately for the Nationals, they’re limping their way into the postseason. Ace starter Stephen Strasburg will likely miss the entire NLDS as he continues to nurse a right forearm strain, standout catcher Wilson Ramos has just been ruled out for the playoffs with a torn ACL, and Murphy (back) and Harper (thumb) are both entering the series against Los Angeles as questionable starters.
Speaking of the Dodgers, Washington may have preferred to have been matched up with any other team in the National League besides L.A. The team won just one of six contests against the AL West champs this year and just three of the last 12 dating back to the previous season.
The Nats will need every able body on their roster to pitch in, and time is not on their side this very moment as their top producers are trying badly to get back to a hundred percent.
2016 Key Team Stats:
| Category | Stat (MLB Rank) |
|---|---|
| Runs | 753 (#9) |
| On-Base Percentage | .325 (#11) |
| Earned Run Average | 3.49 (#2) |
| Opponent Batting Average | .233 (#3) |
| WHIP | 1.19 (#3) |
Writer’s Prediction
Another postseason, another early exit for the Nationals, who get eliminated by the much-healthier Dodgers in four games.
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