After stunning all of baseball – and the perennially-powerful Houston Astros en route to the first World Series title in franchise history a year ago, the Washington Nationals will be going all-out to defend the league championship once the 2020 MLB regular season gets underway. Let’s check the MLB Odds and World Series Odds for the Washington Nationals 2020 Season.
Washington Nationals Analysis Before 2020 Season Start
While baseball is under suspension because of the current COVID-19 pandemic that’s sweeping the globe, one play does resume, Washington plans on being a legitimate contender to win it all again despite losing their best hitter and all-around player this offseason. With that said, let’s find out what likely lies in store for the Nats in 2020.
Washington Nationals 2020 MLB Season Odds
Washington Nationals Offensive Analysis
Washington was rock-solid offensively a year ago as the World Series champs finished sixth in scoring (5.39), sixth in team batting average (.265), sixth in OPS (.796) and 13th in home runs (231). More importantly, Washington returns nearly all of hits key position players, though they will miss MVP-caliber superstar Anthony Rendon who signed a huge deal with the LA Angels this offseason.
Still, the Nats have some potent bats starting with the likes of 21-year-old left fielder Juan Soto who hit .282 with 34 home runs and 110 RBI. Then, there’s veteran shortstop Trea Turner who hit .298 with 19 homers and drove in 57 runs while stealing 35 bases. Veteran center-fielder Adam Eaton hit .279 with 15 homers and 109 runs scored. Second baseman Brian Dozier and first baseman Matt Adams also added 20 home runs apiece a year ago. Last, but not least, veteran second baseman Howie Kendrick smacked 17 home runs while batting a blistering .344 to help the Nats easily overcome the loss of former MVP winner Bryce Harper.
Washington Nationals Defensive Analysis
The Nats were good, if not great, defensively in 2019 as they finished the season ranked 13th in team ERA (4.27), eighth in WHIP (1.29), a stellar second in quality starts (87) and ninth in errors (87). Still, Washington possesses arguably the best ‘Big three’ of starting pitchers in all of baseball.
While three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer battled injuries a year ago, he also went 11-7 with a fine, 2.92 ERA and 243 strikeouts. Former staff ace Stephen Strasburg lived up to all of his vast potential by going 18-6 with a 3.32 ERA while
lefty Patrick Corbin went 14-7 with a 3.25 ERA. Anaibal Sanchez and Erick Fredde round out the starting rotation. Washington’s bullpen is made up of a bunch of good players, including closer Sean Doolittle who recorded a modest 29 saves while posting a high, 4.05 ERA.
Washington Nationals Offseason Movements
Traded RHP Hunter McMahon to Minnesota for RHP Ryne Harper. Agreed to terms with 1B Ryan Zimmerman on a one-year contract. Agreed to terms with RHP Daniel Hudson on a two-year contract. Agreed to terms with SS Trea Turner, RHP Joe Ross, and LHP Roenis Elias on one-year contracts. Agreed to terms with OF Michael A. Taylor on a one-year contract. Agreed to terms with INF Asdrubal Cabrera and 1B Eric Thames on one-year contracts. Agreed to terms with 2B Starlin Castro on a two-year contract. Agreed to terms with RHP Will Harris on a three-year contract.
Washington Nationals Prediction
While the Nats managed to overcome all kinds of adversity by winning five elimination games in the postseason, I suspect this time around, they’ll fall victim to the dreaded World Series hangover while coming up a bit short in some close affairs because of the loss of Anthony Rendon’s super-timely hitting. Washington will definitely challenge for the NL East title and they could very well reach the playoffs again in 2020, although I certainly don’t see them going back-to-back this coming campaign.
