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