With the 2021 season underway, the Washington Nationals have officially returned to the scene. The team is coming off of a mediocre 2021 season following their World Series championship, but is hopefully looking to improve their performance. With vaccinations for the virus finally being distributed, fans might be able to gradually return to the stadium.
Their disappointing 2020 season with a 26-34 record was preceded by their victory in the 2019 World Series. The offseason saw the team add fresh talent to the team, with the likes of first basemen Josh Bell and Kyle Schwarber.
Bell is just a season removed from a dominant 2019 season where he hit 37 home runs and his performance as a fielder should contribute plenty to the team’s performance. Schwarber’s sure to bring much-needed energy to the field and also brings new power to the Nationals’ lineup.
Outfielder Juan Soto is returning after his career-best 201 wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created), while also posting an astounding .490 on-base percentage in 196 plate appearances. He’s sure to carry the team further into the new season and offers even better performances this year. He almost never fails to deliver at the plate and his technique is superb.Trea Turner also is coming in hot with his previous performance in the 2020 season after posting a 335/.394/.588 line with a 158 wRC+.
Despite a staff still headed by longtime aces Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer, the Nationals’ rotation is shaky at best. New signing Jon Lester is a shell of his former self and Patrick Corbin is coming off a season where he gave off a league worst 85 hits in just 11 starts. Here’s hoping that longtime pitcher Joe Ross can finally blossom into the player the Nationals have hoped for him to be.
Fangraphs and PECOTA, two of the main projection systems in current use, have given their predictions on the winning chances of the team. PECOTA has slated the Nationals a 10.7% to win the division, and Fangraphs has projected a 7.5% chance.
Currently, the road ahead for the Nationals is one compiled with obstacles, but we will have to wait and see what the turnout will be. With a full 162-game season ahead of us, here’s hoping the Nationals can recapture the magic that led them to a World Series in 2019.
Article by Isaac Yebio of Walter Johnson High School