Homepage article Nationals U/O

Search

zee

New member
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Messages
949
Tokens
I disagree with the conclusion.
I think that this is one of the most undervalued lines since the early moves. This team got 67 wins last season, with an absolutely idiotic hitting order and players willing to leave while having an abismal %-age in 1 run games.
They took only one big hit in the offseason - Batista. At the same time they took Guillen, who I rate BETTER than Batista and Castilla who still can hit homers, even if he's almost useless in defence. I won't make a case about it being a good hitting line-up, but with a bit of sense and moving Wilkerson out of the No1 spot, it can be decent enough to compete.
Anyway, the case I wanted to make is about pitching. I honestly believe that Nationals have the pitching to compete in the East and then some more.
Hernandez is brilliant.
Armas is good.
Day is pure talant and Loiaza can still rebound.
Closing by cometee can be a *****, but the bullpen seems solid enough to manage it.
I wouldn't try convincing anyone to back the overs, but I'm pretty confident they can beat the number with 3+ games.
 

New member
Joined
Sep 21, 2004
Messages
148
Tokens
I think the Nats will probably go over the number, as long as the injury bug doesn't kill them. On the pitching side Armas is a big injury risk, but would be a solid 2 or 3 if healthy. Day can't strike anyone out, but he keeps the ball on the ground, so the infield needs to play for him. Hernandez is an okay number 1 starter, and he gobbles up innings and saves the bullpen. Ohka is about average. Loaiza, well he had one great year and has been average to awful the rest of his career, you have to bet on the average to awful, and I think the Nats would take average. The rotation isn't great, but it doesn't have any glaring weaknesses, which should help it get to 70 wins.

I think the offense will be pretty solid. Because Bowden chose not to find an alternative leadoff hitter in the offseason, I think Wilkerson is best suited for that role. He has a great OBP and sees a ton of pitches, and I would much rather have him hitting first then Chavez or Guzman, the two real sink holes of the lineup. The rest of the starters are all pretty solid, though Castilla is due to fall off a cliff any year now. I like the Nats to get at least 70 wins.
 

RPM

OG
Joined
Mar 20, 2001
Messages
23,146
Tokens
i agree with you. i think even a 500 season or close to it is possible.
 

zee

New member
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Messages
949
Tokens
I'm not so confident about Wilkerson hitting No1 being right. I also don't have a soft spot for Chavez, but I think he should get it. If he can start getting the ball in play a bit more often(read: Stop swinging at ANYTHING), he has the speed to put pressure on the SP since the start each time he gets on base.
I can see Brad developping in a real power hitter and No 3 or 4 will suit him fine. He should be able to get 30+ homers this year as well and I'm thinking getting him off the No1 spot will result in 20+ more RBI's.
That of course, is all academical as it seems Frank R will agree with you and won't get him off the top of the line-up as Wilkerson's already proved he can be productive there.
About Guzman, well.....It's not like we have an alternative and the SS market is awrful tight. Don't like him either, tho.
.500 season will be pushing it a bit but 73-78 range is quiet possible.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
1,106,908
Messages
13,439,532
Members
99,345
Latest member
08winlink
The RX is the sports betting industry's leading information portal for bonuses, picks, and sportsbook reviews. Find the best deals offered by a sportsbook in your state and browse our free picks section.FacebookTwitterInstagramContact Usforum@therx.com