The Washington Nationals have something cooking with a few key free agent signings and absolute luck of grabbing two of the best number one picks in the last decade. Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmerman, Ryan Zimmerman, and Bryce Harper are just a couple of names that belong on the long list of future stars that the Nationals were fortunate enough to take in past drafts. Add to that list the team’s closer, Drew Storen, and Anthony Rendon, who were both first rounders also and you are looking are some serious pieces in place.

Starting shortstop Ian Desmond and second basemen Danny Espinosa were also high drafts that showed flashes of being a tandem like Robby Alomar and Cal Ripken Jr., as long as Desmond can cut down on his error total. They have also brought in some key free agents over last two years that will be playing a huge role in getting the Nats into the playoffs. Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson give the rotation the depth it has always been missing and the signing of Jayson Werth to that monster deal last year still could pay off if he bounces back to his old self.

So with all these new pieces in place, do they finally have what it takes to get to a playoff series?

The last time the organization finished the season over the .500 mark, the team was in Montreal as the Expos went 83-79 two years in a row in 2002 and 2003. That means that since Vladimir Guerrero left and they headed for Washington, luck hasn’t followed. In 2005, when the move was made, they went 81-81; followed by 71-91 in 2006, 73-89 in 2007, 59-102 in 2008, and 59-103 in 2009. Last year seemed to not get much better after they lost Strasburg and Zimmerman to injuries for most of the year and finished 69-93 disappointed and unhappy. This year’s win/loss total looks a little more promising, however, as every one of the Nats’ come in healthy to spring. Bovada.com has Washington’s over/under win total number set at 83.5 games with the over at -110 and the under at -120. An 83-win season is by no means winning the division, but is obvious improvement that fans need to see from a team that has been drafting so much talent. This might not be a 100-win season, but a big step in the right direction if they can win over 83 games.

2012 Washington Nationals Over/Under Win Total – found at Bovada Sportsbook

See other team’s over/under win totals in Bovada’s MLB team props.