Season Preview

The guarantee here is that the Nationals are going to look spectacular this season. In their glistening new ballpark, that is. As for on the field ... maybe not so much, but these guys aren't as far away as you might think. There are some good young arms, some good veteran pieces to plug the dyke until some other prospects arrive. GM Jim Bowden has made a career out of taking disrespected clubs and guiding them toward overachievement, and the prediction here is that he'll do it again. Video Outlook

Strengths
The outfield should be especially productive with Austin Kearns, Lastings Milledge and, most likely, Elijah Dukes to start. Mix in Wily Mo Pena sometime in, probably, May (he's out early with a strained oblique) and things could get really interesting. First baseman Nick Johnson finally looks healthy, which could put Dmitri Young on the trade block. And third baseman Ryan Zimmerman gets better and better.

Weaknesses
When you release last year's opening day starter just two weeks before this year's opening day, you're either loaded with pitching or you're out of patience. Count the Nats as the latter when it came to injury-prone John Patterson. John Lannan and Matt Chico, come on down! Let's see what you can do. Bowden really liked the way Odalis Perez -- this year's opening day starter -- threw in camp, and when Shawn Hill returns from a sore arm -- let's hope it's nothing serious -- the Nationals pitching actually has a chance to be better than people think.

Difference Maker
Lastings Milledge. This is the guy manager Manny Acta was really excited about this spring, and you can see why. Milledge, who earned a bad reputation almost as soon as he set foot in New York with the Mets for being a hot dog, should enjoy a clean slate in a new place. He has the talent to become a superstar. Sooner, rather than later.