MLB PREVIEW: Let's Play Two. Los Angeles Angels and Washington Nationals

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#2.

PROJECTED LINEUP
RF Kole Calhoun
CF Mike Trout
SS Erick Aybar
1B Albert Pujols
LF Matt Joyce
DH CJ Cron
3B David Freese
C Chris Iannetta
2B Johnny Giavotella

PROJECTED ROTATION
Jered Weaver
Garrett Richards
CJ Wilson
Matt Shoemaker
Andrew Heaney

PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer: Huston Street
Set-up:  Joe Smith

Top Prospect: Andrew Heaney (P)

BREAKOUT - Having no clear cut breakout player is actually a good thing in the Angels case. The Halos have proven players that are ready to win. Led by MVP Mike Trout and Hall of Famer Albert Pujols, this group has chance to duplicate last year's 98 wins and make a run toward their second championship in franchise history.

SPRING STORYLINES - Mike Scioscia is definitely on the hot seat and the Upper Darby and Penn State native needs to win with this group in order to keep the job he has held since 2000. The curious case of Josh Hamilton will be early April discussion, but their play on the field will be the talk of the town come July.

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 98-64 (1st in AL West)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 96-66 (1st in AL West)

#1.

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

PROJECTED ROTATION
Max Scherzer
Stephen Strasburg
Jordan Zimmermann
Doug Fister
Gio Gonzalez

PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer: Drew Storen
Set-up Man:Casey Jansenn

Top Prospect: Lucas Giolito (P)

BREAKOUT - Some thought Drew Storen would never be the same after the 2012 playoff loss to the Cardinals, but at the end of last season the former first round pick proved he is ready to be lights out that is ready to be lights out. With one of the best rotations since the Phillies Four Aces, the Nats pitching staff is poised to be one of the best of all-time.

SPRING STORYLINES - I decided to project the Nats lineup on this blog for when the team is healthy. They have so many injury question marks right now it could be a slow start for the favorites to go to the Fall Classic. Injuries to Anthony Rendon, Denard Span, and Jayson Werth are concerning, but the Nats also have some solid depth to fill in for the time being.

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 96-66 (1st in NL East)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 101-61 (2nd in NL East)

**Check back tomorrow for the 2015 MLB Predictions