Nationals 2012 MLB Season Odds
(The Spread) – With an improved starting rotation, there’s no reason the Washington Nationals can’t compete in the National League East this season.
According to oddsmakers the Nationals are 25/1 to win the 2012 World Series and 11/1 to win the National League Pennant this season. They’re also 6/1 to win the National League East Division and have an over/under of 84 for total number of wins in 2012.
The Nationals spent $16 million this past offseason to strengthen their pitching staff, plus made a trade to help beef up their rotation. They signed starters Edwin Jackson and Chien-Ming Wang to one-year deals, and traded for Gio Gonzalez and Robert Gilliam of the A’s for pitcher A.J. Cole, catcher Derek Norris, and starters Brad Peacock and Tom Milone.
View Latest 2012 World Series Odds
The Nats also signed reliever Brad Lidge to a one-year deal, added Mark DeRosa on a one-year contract, and gave minor league deals to Mark Teahen, Rick Ankiel, Chad Durin, Xaiver Paul, Mike Cameron (now retired), Jeff Fulchino, Jason Michaels, Waldis Joaquin, Brett Caroll and Andres Blanco.
OUTLOOK: The Nationals have been slowly accumulating talent over the years and now it would appear they’re ready to compete. They key is whether or not they can stay healthy. Ace Stephen Strasburg is coming back from Tommy John surgery but if he’s fully recovered the Nats have a formable starting rotation in him, Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann, Jackson and John Lannan. The bullpen is also strong, led by Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard and Brad Lidge. Of course, the key to whether or not Washington contends might be the offense. Jayson Werth will likely never live up to the contract he signed last year but for him to only hit .232 last year was a joke. But if he can rebound while Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa, Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche do their jobs, Washington could challenge Philadelphia and Atlanta in the division.
2012 Washington Nationals MLB Odds
World Series Odds: 25/1
National League Pennant Odds: 11/1
National League East Division Odds: 6/1
MLB Season Win Total O/U: 84
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