Nationals Win Total Prediction
Do the Washington Nationals have what it takes to put up another big win total in 2017? Here’s a look at their roster.
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Nationals over/under for wins in 2017 has been set at 91.5. The over carries a money line of -130 while the under is set at +100. Their odds to win the 2017 World Series are listed at 12/1 currently, while their odds to win the NLCS are at 6/1.
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The Nationals are coming off a 95-67 record in 2016, as they won the NL East. They then went on to lose in the NLDS to the Dodgers in five games. Dusty Baker returns for his second season as manager after winning a division title in his first season. He has an all-time postseason record of 21-29. Thanks to last year’s 95 wins, the Nationals have won at least 92 games in three of their last five seasons and had a winning record in all five years.
Pitching was a big strength for the Nationals last season, as they allowed just 612 runs, which was second-fewest in the majors. Max Scherzer had another strong year, going 20-7 with a 2.96 ERS and 284 strikeouts. Tanner Roark added a 16-10 record with a 2.83 ERA while Stephen Strasburg was 15-4 with a 3.60 ERA. Gio Gonzalez was 11-11 with a 4.57 ERA and 171 strikeouts as well, but the team is hoping those numbers can improve. The bullpen was also great, but the Nationals lost a number of arms there, including closer Mark Melancon, who had a 1.82 ERA. Also gone is Matt Belisle, who had a 1.76 ERA over 46 innings of work.
At the plate, the Nationals have a lot of good bats. Daniel Murphy is coming off a 104-RBI season where he hit .347 and had 25 home runs. Bryce Harper drove in 86 runs with 24 HR, but hit just .243. Anthony Rendon also had 85 RBI with 20 HR while hitting .270. Wilson Ramos and Danny Espinosa combined for 152 RBI, with Ramos hitting .307, but both are gone. Ramos is with the Rays while Espinosa moved to the Angels. The team did add catcher Matt Wieters to make up for the losses. He had 17 HR with 66 RBI in 2016 with the Orioles.
The Nationals are a team that many have expected to make a World Series charge in recent years and never been able to see that through. This season’s team is talented once again, but not quite as deep at the plate and with less of a proven bullpen. The starting rotation is once again great, and they have top-level hitters at the top of the order, but will that be enough to get to 92 wins? I do think it will because I think Harper will have a big year after taking a step back in 2016. In 2015, Harper had 42 HR, 99 RBI and hit .330. Last year was a disappointment and he is coming up on a big contract, so he will need to step up if he wants a record contract.
2017 MLB SEASON WIN TOTAL PREDICTION: WASHINGTON NATIONALS OVER 91.5