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Phillies: Breaking down the NL East and how the Phils stack up

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Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 30: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals holds the Commissioners Trophy after defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 30: Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals holds the Commissioners Trophy after defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game Seven to win the 2019 World Series in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

3) Washington Nationals (2019: 93-69, 2nd place)

The Action Network Odds to win division: +260
The Action Network Wins over/under: 89.5
PECOTA win projection: 87-75
PECOTA Chances to make the playoffs: 69.0%

Projecting Starting Lineup:

  1. Victor Robles
  2. Adam Eaton
  3. Trea Turner
  4. Juan Soto
  5. Starlin Castro
  6. Asdrubal Cabrera/Carter Kieboom
  7. Eric Thames
  8. Kurt Suzuki/Yan Gomes

Projected Rotation:

  1. Steven Strasburg
  2. Max Scherzer
  3. Patrick Corbin
  4. Anibal Sanchez
  5. Joe Ross/Erick Feede

The Nationals seemed to have paid the price for winning the World Series, costing them their most consistent player over the last four seasons in Anthony Rendon. Off the best year of his career, Rendon signed a big contract to join the Los Angeles Angels, leaving a power void in the middle of the Nationals lineup.  Rendon was the only player with over 400 ABs and an average above .300.

Juan Soto had a terrific year, but he and Trea Turner will be asked to step up in a big way. Eric Thames and Starlin Castro were brought in to ease the burden on production, but it will be a tall task with Turner sliding into the three spot in the lineup for the first time in his career. The Nationals are also expecting 2016 first-round pick and top prospect Carter Kieboom to develop quickly.

There is no doubt that the Nationals return the best rotation in the division. While Max Scherzer is coming off the first season since 2010 where he didn’t win at least 14 games, Stephen Strasburg is coming off his most complete season of his career and a World Series MVP. Patrick Corbin had another stellar season, and Anibal Sanchez found some resurgence being a part of this rotation. If Strasburg and Corbin experience any setbacks, Scherzer is sure to bounce back.

The Nationals will likely experience some decline at the plate, and the regularity at third base and the three spot will be tough to replace, but I still see the Nationals as being a threat in the division again.

My prediction: 89-73, 3rd place

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