Originally posted on 08/14/2012:

Quote Originally Posted by easyliving View Post
Seems like every other game they have one of these innings where they score 3+ in an inning. Tonight again 12 men coming up scoring 7 runs in the 3rd. Done betting against them for the rest of the year. They look like their destined to win the NL Pennant.
Every sports site I visit has the Nats power ranked first, second, and third.
Are they a nice team? Yes, but vastly overrated.

On offense they don't get on base enough.

Desmond is having himself a nice little season at short stop, he leads the team with .286 batting average, but his OBA is weak at .322. 17 homers from the shortstop position is sound though and 51 driven in solid.
No good to the team when you are on the DL though.

Espinosa too, very weak OBA, has a little pop.
LaRoche is a legit power hitter.
Zimmerman is sound at third.
What happened to Werth's power?
Harper is 10/32/.251, and news flash, opposing starters don't fear him, yes he's a gold glove talent in the outfield, but most any NL starter worth their weight can get him out, regularly.
On offense Nats are an across the board, middle of the pack team, from OBA, to runs scored, to homers, middle of the pack.

The Nats pitching will take them as far as their arms can carry them.
Stras, Zimm, EJ and Gio are as good as any front four starters in the majors. Their rotation is air tight.
Helps that the NL East is dreadful. Phils got hurt, Reyes wasn't going to put the Fish over the top, that team is a mess. Mets are mediocre at best, and Braves got hurt too with Beachy gone for the season.

Nats with their pitching will win the NL east by default.