The Washington Nationals have been in existence since 2005 and in 2019 they made their first World Series appearance and captured their first World Series title. Entering the 2020 season the Nationals are looking to defend that title, their run to the postseason will look a little different this season as they lost their key cog in their lineup, Anthony Rendon.
Losing Rendon was the largest change of the offseason for the Nationals after resigning pitcher Stephen Strasburg. One of the largest reasons they were able to make the World Series last season was because of their starting pitching, after resigning Strasburg they were able to keep their three-headed monster of Scherzer, Strasburg, and Corbin.
Losing Rendon could prove to hurt a lot in this tough division, but the roster is full of talent just coming into their own in Juan Soto, and Victor Robles, to go along with newly acquired veterans Starlin Castro, and Eric Thames.
- 2019 Record: 93-69, 2nd Place in NL East; World Series Champions
Projected 2020 Lineup:
1. Trea Turner, SS
2. Adam Eaton, RF
3. Juan Soto, RF
4. Ryan Zimmerman, 1B
5. Starlin Castro, 2B
6. Yan Gomes, C
7. Asdrubal Cabrera, 3B
8. Victor Robles, CF
Probable Rotation
1. Max Scherzer, RHP
2. Stephen Strasburg, RHP
3. Patrick Corbin, LHP
4. Joe Ross, RHP
5. N/A
The top three in the starting rotation for the Nationals are as good as any three pitchers in the league and will lead them to a good amount of victories just like in 2019. The lineup changed up a little bit after losing Rendon, but Soto should take over the role as the three hitter and will truly be able to show the talent that he has.
Soto Time
Ever since Juan Soto made his debut in the MLB the organization and fans of the Nationals knew that Soto would be the future of the organization. The time for Soto to emerge as the leader of the offense is now. Soto’s presence will be imperative this season if the Nationals want any chance to repeat their success from last season due to the strength of their division.
The Braves and the Phillies are both teams with tons of young talent that could easily win the NL East and take a wild card spot which would leave the Nationals out of the playoffs, Soto as the leader of the offense will have to ensure that does not happen.
This will not be the first time the Nationals had to deal with hardships either, entering last season they lost Bryce Harper due to free agency and they treated it like just another bump in the road. They will have to have the same attitude this season with the loss of Rendon for the continued success. Now is when they truly show off the young talent that they have and let Soto push them into the future.
Summary
Even after losing Rendon the Nationals are still in a good spot roster wise to make another deep run in the playoffs, sure they may have lost some pop at the plate, but they were able to retain the pitching staff while adding some key pieces to the bullpen. Pitching was what took them deep last season and it is what will keep them as a contender this season.
Projected Finish: 2nd in NL East