Washington Nationals 2010 Baseball Predictions: The NL East cellar has served as home to the Washington Nationals on a number of occasions, but the club is hoping that changes after a busy off-season. Oddsmakers at SPORTSBETTING.com still have their doubts, though, as the Nationals are presently listed at +8000 odds to win the division. Consider that the team closest to the Nats, the Florida Marlins, are listed at +800 moneyline odds to take the NL East title and one can begin to see just how big the online bookmaker's doubts are.
Offensively the Nationals produced just 4.38 runs per game a season ago, which partially explains their 59-103 finish; 
however, the batting order was not as bad as advertised. Despite the medicore run production, the team was right at the National League average in RBI, OPS, and batting average. And, there is more positive momentum than negative when it comes to Washington's lineup. The Nationals could be one of the better hitting teams in the NL this season as they possess a pretty explosive one through five.
The top of the order features two respectable table setters in Nyjer Morgan and Cristian Guzman and they are followed by some heavy hitters in Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Dunn, and Josh Willingham. Add to that an aging Ivan Rodriguez in the bottom third of the order and most of the team's offensive numbers should improve dramatically.
Most of the Nationals poor play last season had to do with their pitching staff. The starting rotation basically had one consistent performer, that being John Lannan. Lannan will have some help this year with the acquistion of Jason Marquis as well as a healthy Scott Olsen. Washington has also elected to throw rookie phenom Stephen Strasburg directly into the fire. And why not, he cannot do any worse than the chum the Nats threw out there last year.
Washington's abysmal bullpen also received a major face lift with the additions of Matt Capps, Brian Bruney, and Eddie Guardado. The relief's staff 2009 ERA of 5.09 should definitely be on its way down.
SPORTSBETTING.com Washington Nationals 2010 Baseball Predictions:
Odds to Win 2010 World Series +15000
Odds to Win 2010 National League Pennant +12000
Odds to Win NL East Division +8000
MLB Regular Season Wins: Over 70.5 (-115), Under 70.5 (-115)
Cash in with sign-up bonuses, weekly reload bonuses and free payouts at SPORTSBETTING.com, where betting is safe, secure and easy.
