That’s why it’s easy to lump the Nats, minus the flashy Bryce Harper, who hasn’t been in the Nats’ plans for months, among the teams with a great deal to prove. But if the Nats don’t play a crisper, less mistake-riddled brand of baseball without him, it’s an opportunity wasted. This year, he’s added a twist: “If we don’t do it right, then the days will get long.” Well, better late than never. This is a Nats team with few weaknesses, a dominant top three in its rotation and justified reasons for high hopes. But it is also a club that will sink if it repeats its mental gaffes and fundamental laxness from last season’s embarrassment.

Source: Washington Post February 15, 2019 23:17 UTC