Forgot Log-in or  Password? |  Help  Not a member, Register Now!
Stream

Washington Nationals

15-14, NL East (4th)
Team RankingAVGRHRERA
Nationals.2426241543.58
East Division5th5th2nd3rd
National League 12th11th7th6th

  • Register to Customize or Login

  • Print

Season Preview


Danny Knobler's Take

Scouts who followed the Nationals this spring said it was hard to even tell who would be on their team. True, but it wasn’t a bad spring for the Nats, because they finally rid themselves of general manager Jim Bowden. Mike Rizzo, who is handling the job for now, gets credit for bringing in the talent that has the Diamondbacks contending in the National League West. He’ll need to bring in a lot more talent in Washington, and even then the Nationals seem to be a long way from contending in an NL East that has gotten much better. For now, he and manager Manny Acta will have to work with the misfit roster that Bowden left them, and it’ll be a shock if they don’t finish in last place. The biggest news of the spring was Bowden’s departure, and the biggest news of the summer will be whether they can afford to sign top draft prospect Stephen Strasburg -- or whether they can afford not to.

 
Staff Picks
Place Knobler Miller Mack Rosen
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Complete Staff Picks
 
Team Info
2008 record: 59-102, .366 pct. (5th in NL East)
As Nationals manager: Manny Acta, entering 3rd year (132-191)
Stadium: Nationals Park (41,222; grass)
 
Top Prospects
1. Jordan Zimmerman, RH/SP
  Posted a 3.21 ERA with 103 Ks and 39 walks at Double-A Harrisburg, debuts April 19.
2. Christopher Marrero, 1B
  Missed half of '08 with a broken leg. Was at third, then to left field and settled in at first.
3. Shairon Martis, RH/SP
  Was 1-3 in four starts for the Nats in '08. Nabbed a rotation spot along with Zimmerman.
4. Ross Detwiler, LH/SP
  The Nats' first-round pick in 2007. Pitched one inning in the majors in '07 but mechanical issues keep him in the minors.
5. Michael Burgess, OF
  Monster power, but needs to improve consistency and cut down on stikeouts.
 
 
John Lannan takes the top spot in the rotation after he compiled a 3.91 ERA in 31 starts as a rookie last season. (AP)
 
Outlook
Video
Scott Miller: Preview
Interview: Lastings Milledge
NL East: Division Preview
Columns
It's a mess in D.C., but president in control
Five things to know
 
Lineup
No.PlayerABHRAVGRBIRSB
1.C. Guzman, SS579 9 .316 55 77 6
2.L. Milledge, CF 523 14 .268 61 65 24
3.R. Zimmerman, 3B 428 14 .283 51 51 1
4.A. Dunn, 1B517 40 .236 100 79 2
5.A. Kearns, RF86 7 .217 32 402
6.J. Willingham, LF351 15 .254 51 54 3
7.J. Flores, C301 8 .256 59 23 0
8.A. Hernandez, 2B81 0 .333 17 11 0
Pitching
No.PitcherIPW-LSVERAKsBB
1.J. Lannan, LH182.0 9-15 0 3.91 117 72
2.S. Olsen, LH201.2 8-11 0 4.20 113 69
3.D. Cabrera, RH180.0 8-10 0 5.25 95 90
4.S. Martis, RH20.2 1-3 0 5.66 23 12
5.J. Zimmermann, RHNo major league stats.
CLJ. Hanrahan, RH84.1 6-3 9 3.95 93 42
 
 

CBSSports.com Shop

Nike Nationals Navy Blue MLB Practice T-shirt
$27.95 Shop Now!

Shop Now
Follow CBS Sports
 
Fantasy Games
 
 
More Fantasy Games