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2007 Washington Nationals Predictions

Check out our 2008 Washington Nationals Predictions!

The light at the end of the tunnel is still along way away for the Washington Nationals. The best teams in the league all have one thing in common and that thing is quality starting pitching. John Patterson is the Nats headlining pitcher. He had a breakout 2005, but after an injury-plagued 2006, we really don’t even know what to expect. The other four guys toeing the mound are misfits and minor leaguers. In other words, the worst rotation in the National League in 2006 will once again be the worst in 2007. If the starters can hand the ball over to the bullpen with a lead, the Nats do have a good chance of winning some games. That will be a big if. Closer Chad Cordero had 29 saves last season, but his 47-save performance in 2005 has proven him to be one of the game’s best stoppers.

As if the Nationals pitching situation isn’t bad enough, there fielding percentage was the worst in the majors in 2006. The Nationals won just 71 games last season, but that number could be looking pretty good at the end of the season from where this team could finish. I don’t think we’ll see a 10-game winner on this squad. But as bad as the pitching is, to their credit, run support will be an issue.

The Nationals can be excited about Ryan Zimmerman, who had a stellar rookie year with 20 homeruns and 110 RBI’s. A sophomore slump out of this guy, and the Nats could wind up the worst team in baseball. Nick Johnson will have to swing an even bigger bat in 2007. 23 homeruns and 77 RBI’s is solid, but it’s just doesn’t stack up with the other clean up hitters in the game. The Nats will likely be without this guy on opening day because of injury and this is one team which can’t afford to lose a stick. The Nationals are not going to put up big power numbers this season. That is a given. Small ball is there only chance to stay out of the gutter.

I’m not going to beat around the bush. We’ll look to bet against the Nats in 2007. This staff is the worst in the National League and maybe in all of baseball and it will be without consistent run support. The Nationals were just 30-51 on the road last season. So we’ll look to go against the Nationals on the road in the right spots. Our best value bets will be against this team at home however. Washington was just 41-40 at home, and I the Nats to fall another 5 games in their home park. This gives us plenty of opportunities to go against the Nationals at home when we will see the best value.

The Nats are conceding a bad season in 2007 making no moves in the offseason content to rebuild from within. We’ll take advantage of the lumps the Nationals are going to take by going against them often.

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