WASHINGTON — It’s that time of year when goose bumps aren’t just from a chill in the air. Especially if your team has a chance at a championship.
Washington, D.C., hasn’t won a baseball title in 90 years. The 2014 Nationals are ready, willing and able to end that drought.
They have all the ingredients: pitching, defense, hitting, power and speed. They can win many different ways. If their hitting struggles, they have the starters and bullpen to keep it close.
The Nats have easily the best ERA in the National League and are third in runs scored. They also have the top run differential in the league, third in baseball behind only the A’s and Angels.
So, if you want to sum up the Nationals in one word, it would be balance.
You could also go with seasoned.
When Washington won the National League East in 2012, it was a thrilling moment for the players, franchise and fans. To say they were happy just to be in the playoffs doesn’t give them credit for what they accomplished. But the crushing defeat to the Cardinals was a wakeup call to the cold realities of the postseason.
This time, though, they’re better equipped to handle the pressure and finish the job.
Most of the team is intact from two years ago, but there are some major upgrades. The Nats playoff rotation in 2012 consisted of Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmerman, Edwin Jackson and Ross Detwiler. Now, Stephen Strasburg and Doug Fister are added to Gio and Zim.
Strasburg was shut down at the end of the 2012 season and is itching to prove himself in the postseason. Fister led the Nats in wins with 16. Tanner Roark was second with 15 and is probably ticketed for the bullpen. That’s strength in pitching.
Two years ago, Michael Morse played left; Bryce Harper, center. Denard Span now patrols the outfield between Jayson Werth and Harper. Clearly, Span is a huge upgrade on defense and is one of the best leadoff hitters in the game, completing a career year with 30 stolen bases, 180 hits and a .300 average.
Because Wilson Ramos was injured during the 2012 season, Kurt Suzuki was the Nationals’ playoff catcher. The Big Buffalo rumbles like one, but he does everything else so well, and has developed into one of the best catchers in the game.
Two years ago, Danny Espinosa was the starting second baseman. This time, the Nats will go with either Asdrubal Cabrera or Anthony Rendon, depending on where Ryan Zimmerman plays. Manager Matt Williams will try and get Ryan in the game someway, somehow. His bat is too valuable. It all depends on how his strained hamstring feels.
Washington has a flexible bench with Espinosa and Kevin Frandsen, plus either Zimmerman or Cabrera — whoever doesn’t start.
So, if you want to add two more words to describe this Nationals team: deep and focused.
They didn’t cruise after building a big division lead and kept on winning after they clinched.
They’re keeping pedal to the metal till the last game.
When will that be?
I see the Nats going to the World Series and — dare I say it — beating the Angels in a Bryce Harper-Mike Trout matchup that will be hyped like Magic and Bird.
There go those goose bumps again.
National League
- Another title in the Cards
WTOP Traffic’s Rich Hunter says emerging young talents and experienced players and management will help bring it all together and give the St. Louis Cardinals another world title. - It’s time for Dodger Baseball
WTOP Reporter Andrew Mollenbeck shares how he accidentally fell in love with the Los Angeles Dodgers. - Buctober
WTOP Sports’ J. Brooks says the Pittsburgh Pirates have promise and how a with a win in the Wild Card Game, they would give the Nationals a run for their money. - Together, we can be Giant again
WTOP Assistant Editor Joey Kahn looks at how the San Francisco Giants will win in 2014 after World Series victories in 2012 in 2010.
American League
- There’s no place like hO’me
WTOP Assistant Editor Samantha Loss, a lifelong Baltimore Orioles fan shares her thoughts on why the team will come out on top. - Motor City madness in D.C.
WTOP News Director Mitch Miller shares why the Detroit Tigers will motor through the tournament and eliminate the competition. - Baseball Jesus + best bullpen = win
Adrian Spinelli, special to WTOP, states that Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s Mike Trout, the offense and the bullpen can help the team. - We’ll always be Royal
WTOP Reporter Megan Cloherty shares why the Kansas City Royals deserve to make it to the World Series. - This is Oakland
WTOP Sports Editor Noah Frank discusses the history of the Oakland A’s and what makes them a team competitors shouldn’t discount.
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