2017 National League Division Series Preview: Chicago Cubs vs Washington Nationals
This series between the Chicago Cubs and the Washington Nationals is an interesting one. The Cubs are the defending champions coming off a century long championship caused by a “curse.” The Nationals are hampered by a “curse” that affects every sports teams in Washington DC and are looking to finally end that. However, these two squads couldn’t be any more different as one looked consistenly good all year and look like a lethal squad to beat while the other one struggled a lot during the season, but finished it strong. Lets take a look at the teams.
Chicago Cubs
The defending champions are facing something a lot of teams face after winning a championship, a hangover. This team was expected to be one of the best in the league, but floundered most of the season. In the second half, they found new life and played a lot better to make it into the postseason. Here is the team for this postseason.
Pitchers
Jake Arrieta
Wade Davis
Brian Duensing
Carl Edwards
Kyle Hendricks
John Lackey
Jon Lester
Mike Montgomery
Jose Quintana
Pedro Strop
Justin Wilson
The starting pitching was absolutely fantastic last season, but struggled for most of the season until late into the second half when they all of a sudden found their magic again. At it’s best, their rotation is very good. However, what will worry Cubs fans the most is the bullpen which has struggled a lot this season.
Catchers
Alex Avila
Willson Contreras
Contreras is one of the best catchers in the league, but he also has a very good backup in Avila who could fill in if Contreras is hurt.
Infielders
Javier Baez
Kris Bryant
Tommy La Stella
Anthony Rizzo
Addison Russell
Ben Zobrist
On paper this is a very young and very talented infield as they all seem to be great all round players including two MVP like players in Bryant and Rizzo.
Outfielders
Albert Almora
Ian Happ
Jason Heyward
Jon Jay
Leonys Martin
Kyle Schwarber
While this looks good on paper, it’s probably one of their weakest areas. Happ has been a pleasant surprise this season while Schwarber has been downright disappointing. However, it is the playoffs and these guys could possibly catch fire on a moments notice.
Washington Nationals
They experienced a lot this year. Their bullpen at the beginning of the season was downright terrible costing them lots of games they should have won and they also endured lots of injuries to key players. However, they kept winning, then their bullpen improved, and finally they got a lot healthier. Because of that, now they look like a serious contender. Lets take a look at the team.
Pitchers
Matt Albers
Sean Doolittle
Gio Gonzalez
Brandon Kintzler
Ryan Madson
Oliver Perez
Tanner Roark
Enny Romero
Max Scherzer
Sammy Solis
Stephen Strasburg
This rotation is one of the best in baseball including getting a resurgent Gonzalez, however, Scherzer is dealing with an injury and they are waiting to see if that will affect him too much. Their bullpen was terrible for awhile, but once their trades for Kintzler and Doolittle and Madson consumated, they became very good.
Catchers
Jose Lobaton
Matt Wieters
Wieters is a very good defensive catcher and has some power. Lobaton is a good backup and has been known for a few clutch moments in the postseason.
Infielders
Wilmer Difo
Adam Lind
Daniel Murphy
Anthony Rendon
Trea Turner
Ryan Zimmerman
This part of the team is downright scary good especially with Zimmerman, Murphy, Rendon, and the up and coming star Turner looking like a modern day murderers row.
Outfielders
Brian Goodwin
Bryce Harper
Howie Kendrick
Victor Robles
Michael Taylor
Jayson Werth
This is a very good part of the team especially having the veteran in Werth and the best player in baseball in Harper. Plus the other players on this part of the team are very good.
For the last two times the Nationals were in the postseason, I predicted them to win. While I don’t think this will be an easy task, I’m still very confident that they will get over the hump. But it should be an exciting series.
Prediction: Nationals
