WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- After one of the Nationals' Grapefruit League contests ended early last week, manager Dave Martinez had a good feeling from the way the game finished. He walked into his coaches' office and told his staff, "We're ready to go."
"I really feel that, and I'm happy about how things worked out so far in Spring Training," Martinez said. "And I'm looking forward to the season beginning. They're ready. They're biting at the bit."
The Nationals are prepared to begin their quest to win a third consecutive National League East crown. Of course, they have higher aspirations beyond that goal, but the Nats will be the first to say they must win their division before they can dream of more.