What does the 2017 MLB season hold in store? The WTOP Sports staff takes its best shot at how it will all play out here in Washington and around the league.
WASHINGTON — Before we dive headlong into this year’s predictions, let’s take a quick look back at last season.
Four of the five of us who offered predictions correctly predicted the Nats would win the NL East. Three picked Max Scherzer to win the most games. And Chris Cichon only missed Lucas Giolito’s MLB debut by 10 days.
We were right about a number of new playoff teams (Giants, Indians, Red Sox, Nationals), as well as who would miss the postseason (Cardinals, Yankees, Mets). Three of us even picked the Cubs to win the World Series. Not bad!
Unsurprisingly, we’re pretty bullish on the Nationals again this year, though some of us more than others.
Flip through the slides to see where we expect Washington and the rest of the league to shake out in 2017.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
How will the Nationals finish (record and place in NL East)?
J. Brooks, sports reporter: First in NL East, 91-71
Chris Cichon, sports reporter: First in NL East, 94-68
Noah Frank, digital sports editor: First in NL East, 95-67
Mike McMearty, program director: First in NL East, 93-69
George Wallace, sports director: First in NL East, 96-66
Rob Woodfork, sports reporter: First in NL East, 95-67
(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
How many bases will Trea Turner steal?
J. Brooks: 30
Chris Cichon: 49
Noah Frank: 51
Mike McMearty: 60
George Wallace: 50
Rob Woodfork: 70
(AP Photo/Todd Kirkland)
AP Photo/Todd Kirkland
Who will lead the Nationals in home runs and how many will they hit?
J. Brooks: Bryce Harper — 40
Chris Cichon: Bryce Harper — 41
Noah Frank: Bryce Harper — 36
Mike McMearty: Bryce Harper — 45
George Wallace: Bryce Harper — 32
Rob Woodfork: Bryce Harper — 45
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
AP Photo/John Bazemore
Who will lead the Nationals in saves?
J. Brooks: Koda Glover
Chris Cichon: Koda Glover
Noah Frank: Blake Treinen
Mike McMearty: Blake Treinen
George Wallace: Shawn Kelley
Rob Woodfork: Blake Treinen
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File
Which team will have the biggest increase in wins from last season? (last year’s total in parentheses)
J. Brooks: Kansas City Royals
Chris Cichon: Minnesota Twins
Noah Frank: Tampa Bay Rays
Mike McMearty: Atlanta Braves
George Wallace: Houston Astros
Rob Woodfork: Pittsburgh Pirates
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
Which team will have the biggest increase in losses from last season? (last year’s total in parentheses)
J. Brooks: San Francisco Giants
Chris Cichon: Chicago White Sox
Noah Frank: Baltimore Orioles
Mike McMearty: Baltimore Orioles
George Wallace: Chicago Cubs
Rob Woodfork: Texas Rangers
(AP Photo/David Goldman)
AP Photo/David Goldman
Which team that missed the playoffs in 2016 will make it in 2017?
J. Brooks: St. Louis Cardinals
Chris Cichon: Houston Astros
Noah Frank: Houston Astros
Mike McMearty: Seattle Mariners
George Wallace: Los Angeles Angels
Rob Woodfork: Pittsburgh Pirates
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
Which team that made the playoffs in 2016 will not in 2017?
J. Brooks: San Francisco Giants
Chris Cichon: Toronto Blue Jays
Noah Frank: Baltimore Orioles
Mike McMearty: Baltimore Orioles
George Wallace: Texas Rangers
Rob Woodfork: Texas Rangers
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
What is your boldest prediction for the 2017 season?
J. Brooks: There will be a no-hitter on Opening Day
Chris Cichon: James Paxton wins the American League Cy Young Award
Noah Frank: With Mike Trout banged up, Alex Bregman breaks out to steal the American League MVP
Mike McMearty: Trea Turner will beat out Daniel Murphy for the National League batting title
George Wallace: Trea Turner wins the National League MVP
Rob Woodfork: The Orioles play the maximum 20 playoff games
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
AP Photo/Nick Wass
What is your World Series prediction?
J. Brooks: Indians over Dodgers in 6
Chris Cichon: Cubs over Astros in 6
Noah Frank: Astros over Nationals in 6
Mike McMearty: Nationals over Red Sox in 7
George Wallace: Indians over Nationals in 6
Rob Woodfork: Nationals over Orioles in 7
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
