Washington Nationals 2010 preview
Article By smcneal.tsn on 26th February, 2010
The No. 1 question regarding the Nationals in recent seasons has been whether they will lose 100 games. The past two seasons, the answer has been yes.
This season should be different. By July, the Nationals could feature a rotation that includes the Next Big Thing, Stephen Strasburg, and two-time 19-game winner Chien-Ming Wang. Their offense already is formidable with Adam Dunn, Ryan Zimmerman and Nyjer Morgan. If they can improve their defense, the Nationals' focus could turn to finishing .500, instead of trying to avoid a triple-digit loss total.
Three questions All eyes will be on stud prospect Stephen Strasburg throughout the Nats' season. 1. Will the defense be better?
It can't get much worse. The Nationals' 143 errors last season were the most in the majors since 2004 and resulted in a major league-worst 83 unearned runs allowed. Getting Dunn out of left field should help; the more he settled in at first base last season, the better he played according to manager Jim Riggleman. The manager believes the addition of catcher Pudge Rodriguez will slow down opponents' running games and help his young pitchers.
Second base and shortstop, however, could be trouble. Cristian Guzman and newcomer Adam Kennedy lack range, and young Ian Desmond is considered an offensive shortstop. One positive: The Nationals scrapped plans to move Guzman to second after they signed Kennedy.
2. When will Strasburg arrive?
Best guess: June 21, home vs. the Royals. If his stuff plays as well as advertised, Strasburg could pitch in the majors today. However, the righthander with the 100-mph fastball and the record contract never has pitched to a major league batter. Strasburg is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut March 9, but regardless of how he performs this spring, the Nationals figure to start him in the minors.
Riggleman faced a similar situation when he managed the Cubs in 199...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
This season should be different. By July, the Nationals could feature a rotation that includes the Next Big Thing, Stephen Strasburg, and two-time 19-game winner Chien-Ming Wang. Their offense already is formidable with Adam Dunn, Ryan Zimmerman and Nyjer Morgan. If they can improve their defense, the Nationals' focus could turn to finishing .500, instead of trying to avoid a triple-digit loss total.
Three questions All eyes will be on stud prospect Stephen Strasburg throughout the Nats' season. 1. Will the defense be better?
It can't get much worse. The Nationals' 143 errors last season were the most in the majors since 2004 and resulted in a major league-worst 83 unearned runs allowed. Getting Dunn out of left field should help; the more he settled in at first base last season, the better he played according to manager Jim Riggleman. The manager believes the addition of catcher Pudge Rodriguez will slow down opponents' running games and help his young pitchers.
Second base and shortstop, however, could be trouble. Cristian Guzman and newcomer Adam Kennedy lack range, and young Ian Desmond is considered an offensive shortstop. One positive: The Nationals scrapped plans to move Guzman to second after they signed Kennedy.
2. When will Strasburg arrive?
Best guess: June 21, home vs. the Royals. If his stuff plays as well as advertised, Strasburg could pitch in the majors today. However, the righthander with the 100-mph fastball and the record contract never has pitched to a major league batter. Strasburg is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut March 9, but regardless of how he performs this spring, the Nationals figure to start him in the minors.
Riggleman faced a similar situation when he managed the Cubs in 199...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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