Washington Nationals: 7 Similarities to the 2010 Giants

Who said the Washington Nationals wouldn't be in hunting for a playoff spot this year?

Well, I did for one.

But, I'm starting to rethink that.

Yes, it's still early in the season to drink the Kool-Aid of the Nationals' 12-4 record to begin the year.

However, with some of the injuries they've been dealing with, plus the fact that Bryce Harper will probably be in the majors some time this season, one has to wonder if this is the year for the Nationals to make the playoffs for the first time since they came to town.

In fact, I could go as far to say as the Nationals are starting to look a lot like the 2010 San Francisco Giants.

I know San Francisco fans won't like those comparisons, but hear me out.

Here's a look at seven similarities between the Nationals and 2010 Giants.

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7. Both Teams Opened 2-0

Okay, this is probably just a coincidence and really has no bearing on the similarities between the two teams.

But, throwing a soft one out there to open people's minds is sometimes needed.

The Nationals won their first two games 2-1 and 7-4, while the 2010 Giants won 5-2 and 3-0.

Like I said, a coincidence.

But wait, there's more.

6. Both Teams Have an Overpaid Starting Pitcher

For Giants fans, this is a "duh" statement, as Barry Zito has been overpaid since the day he crossed the Bay from Oakland.

Nationals fans may disagree with me when I say that Edwin Jackson is being overpaid on a one-year contract for $11 million.

But, let's look at his career numbers.

He has a lifetime ERA of 4.46, and other than 2003 when he had three starts with the Dodgers, Jackson has never had a season ERA lower than 3.62.

In fact, he's only had one other season (2011) in which he had an ERA below 4.00.

Maybe it's because of his 3.79 combined ERA between the White Sox and Cardinals last year that he got $11 million on the open market.

He's been decent to start the year at 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA and 20 strikeouts, but is going to have to get better for the Nationals to make a run, once Stephen Strasburg is shut down after he reaches his innings limit.

5. Young, Promising Catchers

Both teams had young, promising catchers on their roster.

The Giants had the boy wonder Buster Posey, who was recalled from Triple-A to play in the big leagues on May 29.

Posey went on to win the Rookie of the Year, hitting .305 with 18 home runs and 67 RBI.

Wilson Ramos was a rookie last year, batting .267 with 15 home runs and 52 RBI.

This year, he's off to a slow start, but many in the Nationals organization feel like he is going to be the team's catcher for the next decade, kinda like the Giants faithful feel about Posey.

4. Veteran Brought in for Outfield

The Giants signed Pat Burrell as a free agent in May for the 2010 season, while the Nationals signed Xavier Nady this past offseason.

Nady is currently struggling at the plate, while Burrell played decently for the Giants, batting .266.

Regardless, both players were brought in to provide veteran leadership, which seems to have worked for both sides.

3. Solid Bullpens

A solid bullpen is foundational if you want to make a run at the playoffs.

The Giants showed that with Brian Wilson closing, and guys like Sergio Romo, Jeremy Affeldt and Santiago Casilla there to provide a strong bullpen.

The Nationals, on the other hand, have been without closer Drew Storen to begin the season, but will get him back soon.

In the mean time, they have guys like Henry Rodriguez, Brad Lidge, Tyler Clippard and Craig Stammen who have been pretty good to start the year.

Don't let their ERAs fool you, they've done exactly what the Nationals have needed them to do.

2. Power at First Base

Power at first base is something the Nationals have in Adam LaRoche, and something the Giants had in Aubrey Huff.

Huff hit .290 with 26 home runs and 86 RBI, while LaRoche is currently hitting .288 with two home runs and 13 RBI.

And, power at first base is something any team needs to have to make a World Series run.

Looking back at the last few years, each team that has won the World Series has also had a home run-hitter at first base—2011 Cardinals (Albert Pujols), 2010 Giants (Aubrey Huff), 2009 Yankees (Mark Teixeira) and 2008 Phillies (Ryan Howard).

Could LaRoche be that guy for the Nationals?

1. Stud No. 1 Pitcher

There's no question that Tim Lincecum is one of the most dominant starters in the game.

With two Cy Young awards already under his belt, Lincecum gladly traded a third-straight award for a World Series ring in 2010.

That year, Lincecum went 16-10 with a 3.43 ERA and 231 strikeouts.

Now, Stephen Strasburg isn't at the level that Lincecum is—not many pitchers are.

But, one day, Strasburg will be up there with the best in the game, including Lincecum.

Nationals fans have already been convinced that Strasburg is a dominant pitcher and one that you want to send to the hill every five days.

Now, all he has to do is be as consistent as Lincecum has.

What Are Your Thoughts

Am I far fetched to compare the two teams?

I know it's still early in the season for the Nationals, but like I said earlier, there are some things that I find similar between the two teams.

Now, all we have to do is wait until October to see if the Nationals can duplicate what the Giants did in 2010.