The Shrine

Anyone care?

I dunno. Are they on more or less drugs?

YES! I went to opening day for the Nationals on Thursday, but they lost 0-2 and it was cold and rainy. I do a fantasy baseball league with 11 other friends that is pretty intense. I'll probably end up catching a dozen games or so at Nationals Park. Its my favorite sport, for sure. I played all through childhood and high school, used to like the Yankees because I was a big Don Mattingly fan, but have since switched to the home team Nats.

The Nats sure as shit made a big splash signing Werth and trying to let the baseball world know "this is a place to play". Problem is they've got Philly and the Braves in that division, it's gonna be a bit tough for the next couple of years. But we'll see if they're patient enough to let their young guys develop or if they try the easy, but expensive, fix of free agents.

Not quite as tough as my Jays who have to contend with Boston, New York, and Tampa, not to mention a vastly improved Orioles team. The Jays have got a large number of talent minor leaguers and a bunch of young guys on their current roster, but unless a lot of them really step up, they're likely a year or two away from being the new Tampa. Regardless, it should be exciting for us to watch this year, but likely comin' in 4th in our division, 3rd if one of the other three falters, while playing 3-8 games over .500. In many other divisions, they would be contending for the lead but not in the AL East. It's nuts.

The Nats are still biding their time. In a few more seasons Strasburg will be back from Tommy John, young phenom Bryce harper will be full time in the outfield, and they will still have Zimmerman and Werth due to the long term contracts. This year will be fun, but I'm not expecting anything amazing.