Tagged: Washington Nationals
3 reasons why: Nationals will win World Series
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.
10 Things I’m Watching In 2015: Lester, Shields, Scherzer
As we count down to Spring Training, here’s the eighth installment of my ’10 Things I’m Watching In 2015′ series. Today’s topic: Jon Lester, Max Scherzer and James Shields.
How will Scherzer Lester and Shields fare in the National League?
Generally speaking the American League is known for offense and the National League is known for pitching. The DH contributes a lot to this fact and it is likely a reason that big name free agent pitchers often opt to pitch in the National League.
When the 2014 season ended there were three big-name, free agent pitchers on the market and all three of them – Jon Lester, Max Scherzer and James Shields – opted to make the transition from the AL to the NL.
While Scherzer spent the first two seasons of his career in the NL, Lester and Shields have never pitched for a NL team. Each of them have spent nine seasons in the American League.
The trio of pitchers have combined for six All Star games and a Cy Young Award (Scherzer) and considering they all have strong stuff, it’s likely they will do just fine in the NL. However, it may be interesting to watch their transitions, especially over the first couple months as they get used to new parks, lineups and catchers.
Also, I wonder which one of them is the best hitter? And how long will it take Lester to collect his first hit?
Previous Entries:
Betting Odds for the 2015 Baseball Season
With Spring Training just about to begin, it’s that time of year where every fan base believes their team has a shot to win the World Series.
While some teams are more likely to win it then others, anything can happen and that’s what makes sports so enjoyable.
However, the odds of every team hoisting a trophy in late October are not all equal, which makes those surprise runs by teams no one saw coming all the more enjoyable to witness. But how do we know who the favorites and underdogs are? Well…
Bovada.com – a gambling website – has released its odds to win the AL, NL and World Series.
Bovada gives the Angels and Red Sox the best odds to win the AL, but the best odds to win the World Series are given to the Nationals and Dodgers.
Here’s a look at every team’s odds to win the World Series:
Washington Nationals 13/2
Los Angeles Dodgers 17/2
Boston Red Sox 10/1
Chicago Cubs 10/1
Los Angeles Angels 12/1
St. Louis Cardinals 12/1
San Diego Padres 14/1
Chicago White Sox 16/1
Detroit Tigers 16/1
San Francisco Giants 16/1
Seattle Mariners 16/1
Toronto Blue Jays 22/1
Oakland Athletics 25/1
Baltimore Orioles 28/1
New York Mets 28/1
New York Yankees 28/1
Cleveland Indians 33/1
Kansas City Royals 33/1
Miami Marlins 33/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 33/1
Houston Astros 50/1
Texas Rangers 50/1
Atlanta Braves 66/1
Cincinnati Reds 66/1
Milwaukee Brewers 66/1
Tampa Bay Rays 66/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 100/1
Minnesota Twins 100/1
Colorado Rockies 150/1
Philadelphia Phillies 150/1
Odds to win NL:
Nationals 13/4
Dodgers 19/4
Cubs 6/1
Padres 13/2
Cardinals 13/2
Giants 8/1
Mets 14/1
Pirates 14/1
Marlins 16/1
Braves 28/1
Reds 28/1
Brewers 33/1
Diamondbacks 50/1
Rockies 75/1
Phillies 75/1
Odds to win the AL:
Red Sox 11/2
Angels 11/2
White Sox 7/1
Mariners 7/1
Tigers 15/2
Blue Jays 10/1
Yankees 12/1
A’s 12/1
Orioles 14/1
Indians 14/1
Rangers 22/1
Astros 28/1
Rays 33/1
Twins 50/1
Quick Thoughts:
– I wonder when the last time the Mets and Yankees began the season with the same odds to win it all.
– Five of the top seven teams are in the NL, but three of bottom four are in NL as well.
– A World Series between the Angels and Dodgers isn’t too far fetched.
– In Bovada’s view, the NL appears to be top heavy, with the AL being the more balanced league. This is also reflected in the odds to win each league.
– The Cubs off season moves have certainly grabbed everyone’s attention.
– Not a ton of confidence in the Giants going back-to-back.
Boor on Baseball 