My Team - Nationals versus Marlins (3 games)

Monday - Strasburg versus Nolasco
Wednesday - Gonzalez versus TBD
Thursday - Zimmermann versus TBD.

We have baseball! As you probably already know, it's been my favorite sport for 40+ years. And, after years of waiting, my favorite team finally broke through in 2012. The Nationals are one of the few pre-season favorites to get to and possibly win the World Series. The journey starts. Let's ride.

Monday, Stephen Strasburg starts his season unfettered by front office worry about potential injury. I expect him to go 6 or 7 innings, giving up 5 or so hits, with a couple of walks and 7 or so strikeouts. Against yet another new-look Marlins' lineup, he should cruise to his first win of '13.

Ricky Nolasco has been a quietly dependable starter for Miami over the last few years. He's not dominant, but he'll battle and keep the ball in the park. To beat him, the Nationals will have to string together rallies. Guys have to hit strikes, not over-swing, and settle for walks, singles and doubles.

For the next two games, Miami starters Henderson Alvarez and Nathan Eovaldi are each out with right shoulder inflammation. Twenty-year-old phenom Jose Fernandez might start game two or game three. Wade LeBlanc might start one of the games. I might start one of the games (at this stage in life, I'm a junk-baller - think Livan Hernandez [I'm kidding]).

Fernandez is the wild card. With not much of a "book" on him available, he may benefit from being unfamiliar. He may surprise the Nationals with shutout pitching the first couple of times through the lineup.

Washington's lineup, with Denard Span hitting leadoff, should give the fans plenty to cheer about this week. Bryce Harper should begin establishing himself as a legit #3 hitter, combining power, speed and hustle around the base-paths.

The Nationals should take at least two of the three games.  I expect Washington to win Monday, and also at least Wednesday or Thursday. For Washington, getting off to a good, healthy start helps guys get into their year-long routines. Miami should help with that.