New manager Matt Williams took over a team that underachieved the past two seasons on the ancient Davey Johnson. In 2012 they had the best record in the NL, but got bounced in the 1st round of the playoffs. In 2013 they hovered around mediocrity most of the season and needed a late season surge just to finish with a respectible winning record. 2014 saw the team start slow. They hovered around the .500 mark until early June (28-28), then took off and never looked back by lapping the rest of the NL East. Another disappointing post season wouldn’t tarnish how well this pitching rich team did with a rookie manager. All 5 starters won in double digits. Former ace Gio Gonzalez (10-10, 3.57) was the worst of the bunch, which shows you just how strong this staff was. Doug Fister (16-6, 2.41) pitched like an ace as well as homegrown talent Jordan Zimmermann (14-5, 2.66). 25 year old Stephen Strausburg (14-11, 3.14) fanned 252 in 215 innings (most on the staff) of work. If you were lucky enough to get past the starters you had to deal with the strongest pen in the league. Rafael Soriano had 32 saves. When he wasn’t up to closing Drew Storen (2-1, 1.12, 11sv) was the man to do it. Anthony Rendon (.287-21-83) had a breakout season replacing the oft injured Ryan Zimmerman at third. Rendon carried this team at times with his bat, glove and legs (17 steals). Denard Span (.302) was on base often, played a gold glove caliber centerfield and swiped 32 bags. Shortstop Ian Desmond (.255-21-91) and 1st baseman Adam LaRoche (.259-26-92) rounded out one of the top infields in the game. 21 year old Bryce Harper struggled to stay healthy, but when he was in the lineup he played excellent defense and hit .273.
I added 19 cards to finish off this set. This will be my second season managing the Nats. In KOD20 I had a sub .500 year with them and finished in 2nd behind the eventual champion Phillies.
No comments:
Post a Comment