Countdown to Opening Day #1 Washington Nationals

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#1 Washington Nationals: Happy to be the Hunted

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Denard Span
SS Ian Desmond
LF Bryce Harper
3B Ryan Zimmerman
RF Jayson Werth
1B Adam LaRoche
2B Anthony Rendon
C Wilson Ramos

PROJECTED ROTATION
Stephen Strasburg
Gio Gonzalez
Jordan Zimmermann
Doug Fister
Tanner Roark

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: Rafael Soriano

Set-up: Drew Storen

Top Prospect: Lucas Giolito (SP)

You have to like the Washington front office in recent years if you are a Nationals fan. They have made some creative signings, using out of the box thinking. Just when I thought they had a solid closer in Drew

Stephen Strasburg

Storen they signed Rafael Soriano to sure up the bullpen even more.
Just when it looked like they had three quality outfielders they traded for Denard Span. Now while some of the trades and moves did not make a giant impact on the team last year, in fact they struggled out of the gate with a new found target on their back. But the Nationals picked up steam as the year went on, won 86 games, and come into this season with a new manager (Matt Williams) and a new found motivation.
They continued the creative moves and added Doug Fister to an already loaded starting rotation. I bet 28 team other teams would have been in the mix for the former Tiger if they knew he would be available for as cheap as the Nats got him for.
The foursome of Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister is deadly. They won't need to score many runs to win ballgames. And that being their said their offense is no slouch.

Bryce Harper

CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - This is one of the rare teams that has a chance to have the trifecta of awards. I can easily see Strasburg taking home the Cy Young, Bryce Harper grabbing a MVP, and first year manager Matt Williams winning the Manager of the Year award. Not living up to expectations in 2013 lifts this team to a World Series title in 2014.

REAL TALK - I struggle to find reasons why this won't be the best team in baseball. Strong everyhwere. Up the middle - in the bullpen - and star power to boot. Bryce Harper does need to learn how to channel his energy so he can avoid outfield walls and injury. He is too important to the middle of that order. The threat of him makes men such as Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth that much better. Look for the Nationals to navigate the National League with ease.

Breakout: Stephen Strasburg (RHP)

Bust: Ryan Zimmerman (3B)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Jayson Werth (OF)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 86-76 (2nd in NL East)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 101-61(1st in NL East)

**Check back tomorrow for the 2014 PREDICTIONS*