The need for a hot start

[Slateman]

For the first month, the Nationals play the Twins, Marlins, Phillies, Braves, and then a three game series against the Cards. That's basically 22 games against poor teams.

It's bullcrap if you think games in April don't matter. The Nationals have to set the tone early against the scrubs of the NL East. If they go in to May with anything less than a 16-8 record, they can kiss the playoffs goodbye.

[UMDNats]

I agree that a hot start will be huge to set the tone with this year's team, but I won't leap off the edge if we are 15-9.

[Baseball is Life]

Nah, it's early.

[nfotiu]

I'm more about everyone playing well.  Max, Stras, Gio dealing.... the other 2 keeping us in games.... middle bp being adequate... late inning guys being solid....Zim and Werth staying healthy, and hitting even like their worn down selfs should.... Then I don't care what our record is.

[imref]

14-10 or bust

[aussienatsfan]

For the first month, the Nationals play the Twins, Marlins, Phillies, Braves, and then a three game series against the Cards. That's basically 22 games against poor teams.

It's bullcrap if you think games in April don't matter. The Nationals have to set the tone early against the scrubs of the NL East. If they go in to May with anything less than a 16-8 record, they can kiss the playoffs goodbye.

couldn't agree more, this is the only reason I have paid attention to our decent spring. We do have to capatalize on the soft schedule. 17-18 wins before we head into the dog days is pivotal

[Baseball is Life]

I'm more about everyone playing well.  Max, Stras, Gio dealing.... the other 2 keeping us in games.... middle bp being adequate... late inning guys being solid....Zim and Werth staying healthy, and hitting even like their worn down selfs should.... Then I don't care what our record is.

This. Sure, it's about piling up the wins but you're also assessing the team to see if it has "it."

[WashingtonWizards23]

this is the nats. we already won in spring training. its too much to ask them to win again this month. 

[Smithian]

It's early.

[Ray D]

Atl (away) 1-1
Mia  2-1
Atl  3-1
Phi (away) 2-1
Mia (away) 2-2
Min 2-1
Phi 2-1

That's 14-8, best case.  I don't see any way we can beat that, and I won't be at all surprised if we're 12-12.

[captkirk42]

I agree hit the ground running. If we stumble or fall along the way get right back up and continue running.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

15-9 is a pretty hot start

I agree that a hot start will be huge to set the tone with this year's team, but I won't leap off the edge if we are 15-9.

[Ray D]

Are we talking about 22 or 24 games?  Or 25?

We have 22 against so-called "weak" teams and then two against the Cardinals - three actually but the third is in May.   

So in your calculations, if you're counting the Cardinal games, either two or all three, be sure to count those as losses.

[Slateman]

Are we talking about 22 or 24 games?  Or 25?

We have 22 against so-called "weak" teams and then two against the Cardinals - three actually but the third is in May.   

So in your calculations, if you're counting the Cardinal games, either two or all three, be sure to count those as losses.

24 games to start the season, but that includes two games out of a three game series at the end of the month/beginning of next month (against the Cards).

Legitimately, we play one good team to start the season. We need to roll the rest of them. Our lineup will never be healthier than it is now. We should be 18-6 at the end of the month, if not 20-4.

[Ray D]

Legitimately, we play one good team to start the season. We need to roll them.

If we "roll" the Cardinals, then this is a much different team than we've been seeing.

[phil219]

I agree that a hot start will be huge to set the tone with this year's team, but I won't leap off the edge if we are 15-9.

I won't leap off a ledge if we start 15-9, but if we go 14-10 I will be stepping into oncoming traffic right in front of an 18-wheeler going 80.

[HalfSmokes]

I won't leap off a ledge if we start 15-9, but if we go 14-10 I will be stepping into oncoming traffic right in front of an 18-wheeler going 80.

If we go 14-10 and the mets go 10-14, I'm happy, likewise, if we go 16-8 and the mets go 18-6, I'm not too happy.

[phil219]

I just have a feeling the Mets are going to be an epic disappointment in 2016. When Cespides dropped that fly ball last night, their fate was sealed. Mets will finish around .500 and will be finger pointing at each other.

[Ray D]

if we go 14-10 I will be stepping into oncoming traffic

14-10 is a 94.5 win pace.

[HalfSmokes]

I just have a feeling the Mets are going to be an epic disappointment in 2016. When Cespides dropped that fly ball last night, their fate was sealed. Mets will finish around .500 and will be finger pointing at each other.

In that case, an 82 win pace should do it

[Ray D]

When Cespides dropped that fly ball last night, their fate was sealed.

EXACTLY my thoughts!   I laughed so hard I got hiccups.  Funny thing is, I saw it coming.

[houston-nat]

I'm hoping for 14-8 against the dregs. That seems like a good target. 12-10 would leave me uninspired about the team's future; 15+ would be pretty freaking rad.

The stretch right afterwards - road trip to Cardinals, Royals, Cubs - is an intense road lineup of possible WS Champs, so I predict that we will do poorly there and WNFFers will start panicking about how the season is over.

[Optics]

I agree 100%. I don't know what the exact record should be, but its important we come out of the gate and play well. Everyone says "blah blah April doesn't matter" but it does, in fact it might actually be the most important month because while you can't win a division in April you certainly can lose it. Last year the Mets and Royals both had red hot starts. The good teams come out and win right away, they don't dick around until August.

We have to come out and prove that we are going to compete, at the least for confidence sakes. If we have an 8-9 type start or something along those lines the doubts will creep back into a clubhouse that has proven to be mentally weak in the past.

[beatdrum]

Yes, we need to get off to a hot start. Heck, if for no other reason, these games will likely be the only games all season where everyone is healthy!

[Slateman]

If we "roll" the Cardinals, then this is a much different team than we've been seeing.

Sorry, "them" meant all the other teams we play to start the season.