With the Nats ready to come north in a few days, things are looking up for the fans. Last year's laughingstock isn't the worst anymore, at least if Vegas' sharks are right.
Their latest World Series odds are out, and the Nats' odds of winning have more than doubled, so says the Sports Bog.
After last year, they were 300/1. Now, they're 125/1.
Such is the power of Adam Dunn!
At 300/1, there's no hope, right? 125/1, and you're saying there's a chance! Infected with pennant fever yet? (If you are, it's probably just your allergies.)
OK, fine. Betting anything -- even at those odds -- on a team that lost 102 games (only because one was rained out, preventing them from losing 103) seems pretty foolish, right?
Maybe. Maybe not.
Baseball Prospectus -- relying on statgeek Nate Silver's projections -- says the Nats have the talent to win 76. If a few guys play out of their mind, a low 80s win total isn't impossible. Unlikely, sure. But then that's why they're willing to pay you $1,250 if you spend $10.
Other projection systems see a similar record for the Nats.
A massive round-up of various systems done by the Replacement Level Yankees Weblog gives the Nats 73 wins. Those projections, which actually simulate the games, give the Nats a 2 percent chance of making the playoffs.
You can practically feel October baseball in your bones, huh?
The offense is better. Lenny Harris is gone. Adam Dunn's going to hit some homers. Ryan Zimmerman's wrist and shoulder are finally healthy.
There's a lot to look forward to for Nats fans, and a tiny glimmer of hope.
After last season, they'll take it.
Chris Needham used to write Capitol Punishment. His guy says 75-87.
