PREDICTION: 62 Wins For The Washington Nationals Might Be SPOT ON For 2026

Washington Nationals eye a 62-win season as fresh faces redefine the roster. Can this youthful lineup outperform expectations, or will shaky pitching hold them back? USA Today’s win projection sparks debate, as Ryan Clary examines the team's strengths and vulnerabilities, spotlighting breakout candidates like James Wood, Dylan Crews, and Brady House. Key storylines include the intense catcher battle between Keibert Ruiz and Harry Ford, questions surrounding the starting rotation, and a closer look at bullpen upgrades with Cionel Perez’s arrival. Hot prospects, Rule 5 additions, and lefty ground-ball specialists headline the Nationals’ spring training intrigue. Is the offense robust enough to mask pitching woes, or will the bullpen’s struggles derail progress? Ryan Clary breaks down roster moves, player development, and the franchise’s path forward as Opening Day approaches.00:00 USA Today Projects 62 Wins For The Nats04:45 Nats' Troubled Starting Rotation06:47 Nationals' Struggles and Potential Hope14:18 "Harry Ford's Nationals Future"18:46 Nationals Bullpen Improvement Potential20:32 Nationals' Rule 5 Pitching Prospect25:54 Cionel Perez: Ground Ball Specialist27:28 Nationals Bullpen Prospects AnalyzedFollow Ryan Clary on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ryanclary11Follow Locked On Nationals on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LO_Nationals Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Turbo TaxFor a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life. Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcastFanDuelUse your Profit Boost on an NBA future and get entered for your chance to win a trip to the NBA Finals. Play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started.  FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.