Nats' Opener Comes With a Lot of Questions

Such was the unpredictable nature of the spring that Robinson didn't announce his Opening Day batting order until Saturday, when the team concluded its exhibition season with yet another loss, this one to the Orioles in Baltimore. And in that lineup, both Bowden and Robinson feel there is reason for even the tiniest bit of optimism.

"Don't get me wrong," Robinson said. "We're not going to be a juggernaut. But I think we'll be better than last year."

That would be a season when the Nationals had unquestionably the worst offense in the National League -- fewest runs, lowest average, worst slugging percentage, fewest homers.

Some of the expected improvement will depend on Watson, the 24-year-old from Los Angeles who seized the leadoff role with an outstanding spring training. On Friday night, in a loss to the Orioles at RFK Stadium, Watson showed why he beat out Ryan Church not only for a spot on the roster, but for the starting job in center. He tried to bunt for a hit, and is a threat to do so at any moment. He swiped his eighth base of the spring for a club that had the worst stolen base percentage in the majors last year. He made a diving catch in the left-center field gap.

"If 'Watty' can do what he did tonight all year, which every one of us thinks he can, that's going to be a big, big part of our offense," Zimmerman said. "He's an exciting player to watch. If he can be on base and cause havoc, it's going to be a lot easier for us to drive in runs."

But even in that analysis, there is the most significant word in the Nationals' spring: If.

"I'm hoping Brandon can do what he did in March . . . and carry it over," Bowden said, "because that would give this team a big boost. But I can't answer that."

Vidro, who has looked healthier by the day, will hit second, with Johnson third, Guillen fourth, Soriano fifth and Zimmerman -- as impressive as any National offensively this spring -- sixth. If those players stay healthy, "We have the potential to be exciting," Bowden said.

"I think our lineup is going to be better than people think," Zimmerman said.

Yet even if the Nationals score more runs than the 3.9 they averaged a year ago, there is legitimate concern that they could allow significantly more as well. Their defense, the club's trademark during a stellar first half of 2005, was horrendous for much of the spring, leading Robinson to hold meetings, to talk to players individually, and ultimately to hope that when the lights come on, they'll perform.

And while club officials are very comfortable with Hernandez, who will pitch today, and Patterson at the front of the rotation, the last three spots are, as Bowden said, "huge question marks." Tony Armas Jr. is coming back from shoulder surgery. Ramon Ortiz is coming off a lousy season in Cincinnati, one in which he posted a 5.36 ERA. Astacio and Ryan Drese begin the year on the disabled list.

"Our third, fourth and fifth starters have potential of doing it," Bowden said. "But we don't know what they'll do until the bell rings."

Today, the bell rings. Hernandez, for his part, said over the weekend, "The team is better than last year." But after a spring of discord and discontent, Robinson and Bowden wonder.

"We're seeing a lot of individual pieces that, if it blends together and works out, has potential," Bowden said. "But [there are] too many unknowns. There's too many holes."