The Washington Times’ sports staff offers a prediction on how the Washington Nationals will fare this season — as well as who will take home the top awards from around the major leagues.
Todd Dybas
Nationals’ record: 96-66
Finish in the NL East: First
Batting average leader: Ryan Zimmerman, .296
Home run leader: Bryce Harper, 24
RBI leader: Harper, 89
Most victories: Max Scherzer, 21
Lowest ERA: Jordan Zimmermann, 2.78
All-stars: Max Scherzer, Jordan Zimmermann, Bryce Harper
Biggest surprise: Michael Taylor
Biggest disappointment: Wilson Ramos
AL playoff teams: Mariners, Royals, Red Sox, Angels, Orioles
NL playoff teams: Nationals, Cardinals, Dodgers, Marlins, Pirates
ALCS: Mariners over Angels
NLCS: Nationals over Dodgers
World Series: Nationals over Mariners
AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, Mariners
AL Rookie of the Year: Rusney Castillo, Red Sox
AL Manager of the Year: Lloyd McClendon, Mariners
NL MVP: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
NL Rookie of the Year: Joc Pederson, Dodgers
NL Manager of the Year: Mike Redmond, Marlins
Tom Schad
Nationals’ record: 92-70
Finish in the NL East: First
Batting average leader: Jayson Werth, .299
Home run leader: Ryan Zimmerman, 29
RBI leader: Ryan Zimmerman, 94
Most victories: Max Scherzer, 19
Lowest ERA: Jordan Zimmerman, 2.42
All-stars: Max Scherzer, Jordan Zimmermann, Ryan Zimmerman
Biggest surprise: Blake Treinen is a dominant setup man
Biggest disappointment: Wilson Ramos can’t stay healthy
AL playoff teams: Orioles, Tigers, Indians, Mariners, Angels
NL playoff teams: Nationals, Cardinals, Pirates, Dodgers, Marlins
ALCS: Mariners over Tigers
NLCS: Dodgers over Nationals
World Series: Dodgers over Mariners
AL MVP: Mike Trout, Angels
AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, Mariners
AL Rookie of the Year: Steven Souza, Rays
AL Manager of the Year: Mike Scioscia, Angels
NL MVP: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
NL Rookie of the Year: Kris Bryant, Cubs
NL Manager of the Year: Don Mattingly, Dodgers
Zac Boyer
Nationals’ record: 88-74
Finish in the NL East: First
Batting average leader: Jayson Werth, .296
Home run leader: Bryce Harper, 25
RBI leader: Ryan Zimmerman, 92
Most victories: Max Scherzer, 16
Lowest ERA: Jordan Zimmermann, 2.94
All-stars: Jordan Zimmermann, Max Scherzer
Biggest surprise: Dan Uggla
Biggest disappointment: Starters’ health
AL playoff teams: Red Sox, Tigers, Mariners, Indians, Athletics
NL playoff teams: Nationals, Cardinals, Dodgers, Pirates, Giants
ALCS: Tigers over Indians
NLCS: Cardinals over Dodgers
World Series: Cardinals over Tigers
AL MVP: Robinson Cano, Mariners
AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, Mariners
AL Rookie of the Year: Rusney Castillo, Red Sox
AL Manager of the Year: Lloyd McClendon, Mariners
NL MVP: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
NL Rookie of the Year: Jorge Soler, Cubs
NL Manager of the Year: Joe Maddon, Cubs
Thom Loverro
Nationals’ record: 97-65
Finish in the NL East: First
Batting average leader: Anthony Rendon
Home run leader: Ryan Zimmerman
RBI leader: Ryan Zimmerman
Most victories: Jordan Zimmermann
Lowest ERA: Jordan Zimmermann
All-stars: Jordan Zimmermann, Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper, Max Scherzer
Biggest surprise: Blake Treinin
Biggest disappointment: Gio Gonzalez
AL playoff teams: Red Sox, Tigers, Angels, Mariners, Athletics
NL playoff teams: Nationals, Cardinals, Dodgers, Pirates, Padres
ALCS: Athletics over Red Sox
NLCS: Nationals over Dodgers
World Series: Nationals over Athletics
AL MVP: Robinson Cano, Mariners
AL Cy Young: David Price, Tigers
AL Rookie of the Year: Dalton Pompey, Blue Jays
AL Manager of the Year: Bob Melvin, Athletics
NL MVP: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
NL Cy Young: Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals
NL Rookie of the Year: Jorge Soler, Cubs
NL Manager of the Year: Bud Black, Padres
Deron Snyder
Nationals’ record: 100-62
Finish in the NL East: First
Batting average leader: Anthony Rendon, .300
Home run leader: Bryce Harper, 28
RBI leader: Ian Desmond, 98
Most victories: Max Scherzer, 21
Lowest ERA: Jordan Zimmermann, 2.06
All-stars: Max Scherzer, Jordan Zimmermann, Ian Desmond, Bryce Harper
Biggest surprise: Dan Uggla
Biggest disappointment: Yunel Escobar
AL playoff teams: Red Sox, Tigers, Angels, Mariners
NL playoff teams: Nats, Cardinals, Dodgers, Marlins
ALCS: Mariners defeat Angels
NLCS: Nats defeat Dodgers
World Series: Nats defeat Mariners
AL MVP: Mike Trout, Angels
AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez, Mariners
AL Rookie of the Year: Dalton Pompey, Cubs
AL Manager of the Year: Lloyd McClendon, Mariners
NL MVP: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
NL Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
NL Rookie of the Year: Kris Bryant, Cubs
NL Manager of the Year: Mike Redmond, Marlins
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