Nationals Week Preview

Nationals Bryce Harper. (Photo: newsday.com)

This week the Nationals have a busy schedule down in Florida. They have a game each day of the week including a double header this Saturday.

Their opponents this week consist of the Mets (twice), Braves, Cardinals (twice), Astros, Marlins, and Tigers. Saturday is a split squad double header against the Mets and Tigers.

Something to watch for this week is the return of first baseman Adam LaRoche. According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, LaRoche is expected to make his first spring training appearance this Wednesday against the Cardinals. He has been sidelined by shoulder and ankle injuries.

Bryce Harpers improvement is another thing to keep an eye on. So far, he has been showing effort defensively by diving after numerous fly balls. His hitting has been OK at best, but I expect we will see what he is really made of this week.

Harper will be facing top (if you can say this early in the spring) pitching talent when they play the likes of the Cardinals and Tigers.

This Saturday when the Nationals take on the Tigers in game two of their double header, the team will get a look at the once pursued Prince Fielder. Fielder was rumored to have been heavily pursued by the Nationals, but went to the Tigers instead.