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2008 MLB
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2008 Washington Nationals Predictions & Season
Preview
The Nats were able to avoid
the NL East cellar last
season with a fourth-place
finish, taking a step in the
right direction. Find out if
they can keep climbing the
ladder in Jimmy’s 2008
Washington Nationals
predictions and season
preview.
Starting Rotation/Bullpen
Washington didn’t do enough
to upgrade a rotation whose
ERA of 5.11 was second to
last in the National League
last season. The Nats opted
to stick with their young,
unproven arms in hopes of
seeing some rising stars.
Washington’s 2008 projected
rotation combined for just
22 wins in 2007. Shawn Hill
will be looked at as
Washington’s number one. He
is coming off ulnar nerve
decompression surgery on his
throwing forearm. Number
two, Jason Bergmann has
shown potential, but only in
spurts. Unfortunately for
this staff, they move into
Washington’s new park which
won’t be as pitcher-friendly
as RFK. Matt Chico must
solve control problems to be
the go-to lefty on this
staff. John Lannan is
Washington’s reigning minor
league Pitcher of the Year.
He climbed all the way up
from A-ball last season and
could be their ace of the
future. Tyler Clippard
likely fills the fifth spot
with a very nasty changeup
in his arsenal.
Closer Chad Cordero led the
majors with nine blown saves
in 2007, but his 37 can’t be
ignored. The guy is a bright
spot out of the pen and will
gain more confidence and
perform better as the team
performs better. Right
hander John Rauch has a
blistering fast ball and was
third in the bigs with 33
holds in 2007. Luis Ayala
hopes to build off of a
successful return from Tommy
John surgery and Saul Rivera
proved that he can be
depended on to come in and
not give up the long ball.
He faced 373 straight
batters without allowing a
round tripper. All these
guys are righties and
Washington will struggles at
times in the pen if they
can’t develop a southpaw, at
least, for situational
spots.
Batting Order
Shortstop Christian Guzman
will lead things off for the
Nats. His .380 on base
percentage before enduring a
torn thumb ligament gives
Washington hope that they
have a solid asset at the
top of the order.
Centerfielder Lastings
Milledge will get his shot
at playing every day in
Washington. He brings more
speed to the top of the
lineup. Third baseman Ryan
Zimmerman is the Nats’ main
big bopper. He must avoid
the slow start he got off to
last season. He finished
with 24 homeruns and 91
RBIs, but must up those
numbers for the Nats to keep
improving. First Baseman
Dmitri Young will take the
cleanup spot. He hit .320
with 13 homeruns and 74
RBIs. He brings experience
and leadership to a young
team, but Washington would
like some bigger power
numbers out of him.
Leftfielder Wily Mo Pena
will get a chance to play
every day for the Nats as
well and I see a great deal
of potential in this kid.
Rightfielder Austin Kearns
brings his glove to the park
everyday, but he has
underachieved at the plate.
Still, he is one of the best
power guys on this team and
should benefit from a new
ball park. Ronnie Belliard
will likely play second
base. He met all
expectations and then some
last season. An encore
performance will help this
lineup avoid the struggles
it endured last season.
Catcher Paul Lo Duca’s bat
could also be a bonus. But
he must rebound from a down
year.
The most exciting this for
Washington this season will
be its new ballpark. The
starting rotation is one of
the worst in the majors and
the offense has not proven
that it can score on a
consistent basis. While a
new park figures to favor
the offense, the pitching
staff could suffer even
more. Washington’s goal is a
winning season. I don’t see
it happening in 2008, but
the Nats should take another
small step forward.
Jimmy Boyd is your one and
only choice for
baseball picks in 2008.
The reigning MLB
Handicapping World Champion
will make you more money
over the summer than you
have ever made in an entire
year picking games. It won’t
take you long to see big
results.
Odds to win NL East:
40/1
Odds to win 2008 NL Pennant:
50/1
Odds to win 2008 World
Series:
100/1
Other Predictions for the 2008 Season:
Updated February 18th, 2008
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