Countdown to Opening Day: #2 Washington Nationals

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#2 Washington Nationals: The Aftermath of shutting down Strasburg

PROJECTED LINEUP

CF Denard Span
RF Jayson Werth
LF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
1B Adam LaRoche
SS Ian Desmond
2B Danny Espinosa
C Kurt Suzuki
P Stephen Strasburg

PROJECTED ROTATION
Stephen Strasburg
Gio Gonzalez
Jordan Zimmermann
Dan Haren
Ross Detwiler

BULLPEN

Closer: Rafael Soriano

Set-up: Drew Storen

Top Prospect: Anthony Rendon (3B)

If only the National fans could look at the loss to the Cardinals in the postseason and blame it on the missing ace. Shutting down Stephen Strasburg did not directly effect their chances because they recieved strong starting pitching. The Cardinals were just more clutch and if anyone was to blame it was Drew Storen and a bullpen that

blew the lead on multiple occasions.
It was a young group's first experience in the playoffs and it should not derail their 2013 hopes. The Nats come back with more bullets this season and the signing of closer Rafael Soriano probably had a little bit to do with Storen and the bullpen's finish.
The Nats are leaving no stone unturned as they know how quickly a window of opportunity can disappear. Dan Haren adds depth to maybe the best starting rotation in baseball and Denard Span gives them a leadoff hitter who can pick it in the big center
field at Nationals Park.
They are counting the kiddies to take the next step. If phenoms Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper live up to all the hype this team could cruise to 100 wins and top seed in the National League. Injuries are the only thing that could derail this train.
How quickly they have gone from worst to first - and their window seems to be open as long as Harper and Strasburg dawn the curly W.

THEY CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - A one of a kind 20 year old gets thrown into the three-hole of a very
talented lineup and never looks back. Harper plays 162 games and puts up a stat line Mickey Mantle and Ken Griffey Jr. dreamed of at that age. All those years of earning the top overall pick finally pay off and the Nats own the MVP and Cy Young in Strasburg.






REAL TALK - They probably have the most talent on paper and they are the most likely team to win 100 games, especially since they get to beat up on the Mets and Marlins. Recent history has proven it is hard to be the best team from April to October. But if they are hot come playoff time this team will be tough to beat.

Breakout: Ross Detwiler (LHP)

Bust: Gio Gonzalez (LHP)
Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Jayson Werth (OF)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 98-64 (1st in NL East)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 99-63 (1st in NL East)

**Check back tomorrow for the Detroit Tigers**