As the 2016 season approaches, I will be taking a look at the 10 teams with the best odds of winning the World Series and examining three reasons why each team may ultimately hoist the trophy. Today’s team:

Nationals (14/1 odds to win World Series): Perhaps Dusty Baker is the answer. The Nationals were the clear favorite to win the National League a season ago, but that prediction never quite worked out. While people aren’t as high on the Nationals as they were a season ago, it’s not as if everyone is counting them out either.

Bryce Harper: Part of the reason you totally bet against the Nationals is because of their 23-year old superstar right fielder. Bryce Harper, the reigning National League MVP, is coming off a career year. Harper hit .330 with 42 homers and 99 RBIs in 2015 and although those numbers were all careers highs, Harper has the talent to do it again. Harper’s fantastic season didn’t help the Nationals reach their goals as a team last season, but if he gets more help from his supporting cast, the 2016 season may be different.

Rotation: While Harper leads the offense, Max Scherzer ans Stephen Strasburg anchor the rotation. In 2015 Scherzer (14-12, 2.79 ERA) proved he was a threat to throw a perfect game every fifth day, while Strasburg and his 95 MPH fastball blew hitters away. Gio Gonzalez’s ERA has risen each of the last three seasons, but the left-hander is still a quality arm capable of carving up an opposing lineup.

Easy path? NL East, two team race: Once again the Nationals are the favorites to win the NL East, but that didn’t work out so well last season. Per FanGraphs, the Nationals are projected to win 90 games, three more than the second-place Mets. The Marlins, at 81 wins, are expected to finish third. Crazier things have happened, but the NL East looks to be a two team and if the Nationals can beat up on the Marlins, Phillies and Braves – winning the games they are supposed to win – they can be in contention late in the season with a chance to get back to the postseason.