Washington Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez throws during the first inning of Game ... more >Still, starting pitching depth is integral, and right now the Nationals are not as clear-cut as they could be in that department. Duke and Garcia are the two obvious choices, if needed, followed perhaps by Stammen, though he’s had terrific success as a reliever. Yunesky Maya, Ryan Perry and Nathan Karns are in the mix after that, so it’ll be interesting to see what the Nationals will do if the need for depth presents itself.
Will they be able to move on?
The end of the 2012 season was not just sour, it was stunning. And in the aftermath, the shock of the finality of it all took some time to wear off. The Nationals will face questions about their collapse in Game 5 of the National League Division Series this spring, but not allowing it to follow them into this season will be paramount to their success.
If it’s ‘World Series or bust’ for 2013, the Nationals can’t let busting to end 2012 affect them as they turn the page.
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Amanda Comak covers the Washington Nationals and comes to The Washington Times from the Cape Cod Times and after stints with MLB.com and the Amsterdam (N.Y.) Recorder. A Massachusetts native and 2008 graduate of Boston University, Amanda can be reached at acomak@washingtontimes.com and you can follow her on Twitter @acomak.
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