Nationals Season 6 Preview

After winning the NL East in season 5 handily.   The Nationals were shut down by the strong pitching  of the St. Louis Cardinals.  The Nationals have a strong bullpen, good starting lineup, decent starting pitching and good defense.   The problem is and has been they do not have two top Ace pitchers that can shut down the other teams lineup in the playoffs, when every run scored or prevented is crucial.  Nationals management did not address this issue during the spring, but will be on the lookout for something to develop later in the season.   The Nationals starting line-up for Season 6:

C: Karim DeRojas offense fell off a bit from season 4

Ned Holmes will be the back up.

1B: Miller Locke had a nice sophomore season.

2B: Eric Brantley tailed off a bit from season 4.

3B: D'Angelo DeLeon moved to 3B last season, think he's more suited there

SS: Chad Fitzgerald gold glove winner last season

Horace Curtis will see some time at SS, in the IF and OF

 Ralph Rivers listed at SS, but more of a backup at 3B and the OF

LF:  Tomas Pascual not ready to start at 2nd but bat is too good

CF: Enrique Rodriguez not ready to play SS, will give him a shot at CF

Duffy Bell gold glove winner last season, will backup in the OF

Juan Rosario backup in the OF

RF: Evan Strange moved him to RF last season

The Nationals Pitching staff for Season 6:

SP1:  Dave Rizzo lack of a good 2nd pitch hurts him at times 

SP2:  Pedro Torres had a nice season last year

SP3:  Mark Knight made a starter in season 4 and hasn't dissappointed

SP4: Del Jang 

SP5:  Albert Ontiveros hoping for a breakout year this season

LRA:  Butch Barker mopup, the odd start

SuA:  Earl Simmons hoping for a big year from him

SuA:  Matt Cole 

SuA:  Carlos Nieves

SuB: Mike Linton

SuB: Scooter Mann Rule 5 pick this season

CL: Vic Toca was great last year

Youngsters:  Ross Lamb, Herman Mahler, Alex Mercado may see some 

time in the Majors this season. Nationals management is excited 

about this season. Management expects to make the playoffs, 

than who knows what will happen.