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Ben Margot/Associated Press

Park Factor

Nationals Park was the sixth-best scoring environment in baseball last season.

The Washington Nationals are the best team in baseball (on paper) and it's not close. With the addition of Max Scherzer, they may have baseball's best starting rotation since the Baltimore Orioles of the 1970s. In 2015, they'll have one of the best lineups to go along with it.

Top-Flight Infield

Ryan Zimmerman was limited to 61 games last season, but he'll shift to first base this season to try to help overcome shoulder/arm injuries. From 2009-13 he averaged 24 homers and 83 RBI with a .359 on-base percentage. A return to his All-Star form would replace the loss of Adam LaRoche.

The Nats' "worst hitter" is Yunel Escobar, who has a .276 career batting average with decent pop for a second baseman. With Ian Desmond and Anthony Rendon, you have the best left side in baseball, as they both could hit 30 home runs and drive in 100. Desmond is heading into a free-agency season, so he only has $150 million or so reasons to be motivated. Oh yeah, they also have a catcher in Wilson Ramos whose per-162-game average is 27 home runs with 104 RBI.

Top-Flight Outfield

Denard Span is one of baseball's most underrated leadoff hitters, finishing tied for the most hits in the National League last season, not to mention having a .355 on-base percentage, which was 18th-best in the NL. Jayson Werth had a top-10 OPS in the National League last season (.849). While he underwent surgery this month, he's expected to be ready for the opener.

Then there's this guy Bryce Harper. If you haven't heard of him, then I'm not sure what you're doing reading this article. But just in case, watch this and get excited for his breakout. He's an MVP just waiting to happen, he just has to stay healthy.

The Nationals weren't as great statistically last season as this type of lineup would suggest, finishing 17th among runs scored on the road. However, getting a full season of Zimmerman, a breakout campaign from Harper and the continued emergence of Anthony Rendon, and this team should coast through the NL into the playoffs with one of the best lineups in baseball.

Projected Lineup

BA HR OPS Denard Span OF .282 5 .724 Anthony Rendon 3B .279 19 .804 Jayson Werth OF .285 16 .829 Bryce Harper OF .278 25 .852 Ryan Zimmerman 1B .275 19 .793 Ian Desmond SS .258 18 .729 Wilson Ramos C .269 16 .755 Yunel Escobar 2B .271 7 .700

Note: Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com, MLB.com and FanGraphs, unless otherwise noted/linked.