Bold Prediction of the Year: Nationals Will Make the 2012 Postseason

Some of you may think I'm crazy, but I'm sold on the Washington Nationals making it to the postseason this year.

The last time the Nationals made it to the playoffs was 31 years ago, when the organization was based in Montreal and the team was named the Expos. Entering their eighth season in D.C., the Nationals have gone through four managers (one interim), built a $611 million-plus ballpark and compiled a record of 492-640. This season will be memorable.

Nats general manager Mike Rizzo has built a contender and a future N.L. East powerhouse. Last year, the Nats had an 80-81 record (their best since 2005 81-81) and finished third in the National League East. With the acquisition of 6'0'' lefty Gio Gonzalez (from the Oakland A's) and the free-agent signings of RP Brad Lidge, SP Edwin Jackson and UT Mark DeRosa along with a healthy Stephen Strasburg and Ryan Zimmerman, the Nationals cannot be overlooked. 

The Nationals' projected line-up (according to RotoChamp.com)

    Player          Position       AVG       HR       RBI     R         (2011 Stats)

1. Ian Desmond    SS           .253         8        49      65   

2. Jayson Werth   RF           .232         20       58      69

3. Ryan Zimmerman 3B       .289         12       49      52

4. Adam LaRoche 1B          .172           3       15      15

5. Michael Morse LF           .303          31       95     73

6. Danny Espinosa 2B        .236          21       66     72

7. Wilson Ramos C            .267          15       52     48

8. Roger Bernadina CF       .243           7        27     40

In my eyes, the Nats' No. 2-,3-,4- and 5-guys are up there as the best in the Major League. Yes, Jayson Werth had a horrible season after signing a seven-year, $126 million-contract, but he has nowhere to go but up. I firmly believe that Werth can go back to his Phillies days. I see Jayson Werth batting .272 with 32 homers easily. He is my 2012 NL comeback player of the year. 

Batting behind the dangerous Werth is the man with the big new contract Ryan Zimmerman. On February 26th, the "hot corner" stud inked a six-year extension worth $100 million. What does this mean? It means Zimmerman is all in and will work for his money. Injuries plagued his 2011 season, but he still put up some decent stats. 

Adam LaRoche is the only question mark in this lineup. LaRoche is a very underrated player. A career .267 batter, LaRoche will be the x-factor for the Nationals' success. If he can stay healthy and put up his usual .265 average along with 20 homers and 80 RBI, it will benefit the "Nasty Nats."

After LaRoche comes All-Star Michael Morse. Morse took the reigns of the offense when Zimmerman was put on the DL. Morse led the Nationals in every major hitting stat. The 29-year-old might lose a few points in his batting average, but I anticipate another 30 home runs and a 95-plus RBI total.

The rest of the lineup includes Ian Desmond, Wilson Ramos and Danny Espinosa looking to add points to their batting average, home run and RBI total in 2012.

Without a doubt, the strongest and most important asset to the 2012 Nationals will be their starting rotation.

Projected Rotation (according to RotoChamp.com)

                                                                          W-L       ERA     SO       WHIP                      

1. Stephen Strasburg                                            1-1        1.50      24        .71   *DL

2. Gio Gonzalez (with A's)                                    16-12     3.12     197       1.32

3. Jordan Zimmerman                                           8-11      3.18     124       1.15

4. Edwin Jackson (with White Sox and Cardinals)   12-9       3.79    148        1.44

5.John Lannan                                                    10-13      3.76    106        1.46

The phenom is back from Tommy John surgery. Strasburg enters the 2012 season as the ace of the talented staff. The fire-baller already has mind-blowing stats for a pitcher who has been limited. In his young career, Strasburg is 6-4 with a 2.54 ERA, 116 strikeouts and a .98 WHIP. If he can stay healthy and the Nats let him loose, Strasburg could be a candidate for the Cy Young award.

Nats GM Mike Rizzo sent a package of top prospects to the A's for Gonzalez. Gonzalez can be an ace for any major league team and the Nats have him as their No. 2 man. Gonzalez is only 26 years old and has improved every season. I see him winning at least 15 games and having an ERA under 3.00.

The only question mark on the Nationals' pitching staff is journeyman Edwin Jackson. Jackson is a streaky pitcher who can help a team or hurt them. His WHIP numbers are always very high, which shies many teams away from signing him. Jackson should have a usual year, 14-11 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.41 WHIP.

The Nationals are just what the D.C. area needs. With the Wizards (NBA) out of the playoffs, the Capitals (NHL) a huge question mark in the NHL and the Redskins (NFL) coming off a horrendous 5-11 season, the D.C. area can finally cheer on a team who can and will win this year. With all the free-agent signings, the depth and the man known as Bryce Harper who could make the squad out of spring training, how can you not see this team as a contender?

Prediction

Nationals second in NL EAST 93-69 *clinch wild card

All stats off http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/stats/batting/_/name/wsh/washington-nationals

http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/stats/pitching/_/name/wsh/washington-nationals