Aaron Spelling dealt exclusively with ABC during the 70's, and decided he needed a break from the cookie cutter police dramas he'd been cranking out. In 1979, he gave ABC another hit, this one borrowing from an older, forgotten series.
There are parallels between Hart To Hart and the radio-turned-TV series Mr. & Mrs. North. In each case, the title protagonists are husband & wife amateur sleuths, but that's where the similarity ends. Hart sprang initially from the pen of screenwriter-turned-novelist Sidney Sheldon (I Dream of Jeannie), but his initial pitch was for the couple to be a pair of spies. Spelling and business partner Leonard Goldberg bought the rights, and with help from writer-director Tom Mankiewicz, rebooted it into the series we know today.
Robert Wagner had been a year removed from Switch when he was cast as electronics magnate Jonathan Hart, a self-made millionaire. The story goes that Spelling had wanted Cary Grant, but Grant had long since retired, and there was the belief that Grant wouldn't have been believable as Hart. Spelling wanted Wagner's real-life wife, Natalie Wood, to play Jennifer, but Wagner was, according to accounts, "reluctant". Stefanie Powers, whose last two series, The Girl From U.N.C.L.E. & The Feather & Father Gang, each lasted a season, landed the part. Lionel Stander played Max, the chauffeur/bodyguard/cook, and also narrated the open.
Hart To Hart lasted five seasons, and fell into the predictable formula storytelling of other Spelling shows (i.e. Charlie's Angels). It took viewers a while to warm up to the show, which cracked the top 20 in its 2nd season. For Wagner, this was his first series to go beyond three seasons, as Switch & It Takes a Thief topped out at three each.
A Hart To Hart fan channel uploaded the 1st season open to YouTube. Bear in mind that the narrative changed beginning in season 2 to what most of us may be familiar with.
)
Spelling would go the millionaire-as-amateur-sleuth route again with Matt Houston during the 80's, and I think it was while Hart was still on the air.
Rating: B.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
Musical Interlude: Come Undone (1993)
Duran Duran's 2nd single from their self titled CD, otherwise known as "The Wedding Album", was also one of their more, ah, interesting videos.
"Come Undone" is layered in some unconnected images tied to a central theme. Most jarring of these is the reveal of a common man coming home from work and stripping to reveal he's also a cross-dresser. Mind you, this was less than a year after "The Crying Game", and all of its attendant controversy. Somehow, the use of a woman submerged underwater in chains trying to escape seems tame by comparison.........
Uploaded by EMI's YouTube channel.
"Come Undone" is layered in some unconnected images tied to a central theme. Most jarring of these is the reveal of a common man coming home from work and stripping to reveal he's also a cross-dresser. Mind you, this was less than a year after "The Crying Game", and all of its attendant controversy. Somehow, the use of a woman submerged underwater in chains trying to escape seems tame by comparison.........
Uploaded by EMI's YouTube channel.
A Forgotten Classic: An Evening at the Improv (1982?)
Sometime in the 80's, the Arts & Entertainment Network (now known simply as A & E) decided to angle for the young adult audience that was tuning in to The Tonight Show, then still hosted by Johnny Carson, if not also MTV, which would later get into the stand-up comedy arena themselves.
Wikipedia claims An Evening At The Improv ran from 1982-96, which I find a little hard to believe, so I'll have to check for verification, since some Wikipedia contributors are about as accurate as a blind gecko. Genial, monocle wearing Budd Friedman got the show rolling with a few quick one-liners before turning it over to the host(ess) du jour until the end of the show. Sadly, A & E hasn't seen fit to dust this off for the sake of nostalgia, but luckily for us a select few episodes are available on Hulu, from whence we get this offering from December 1988. Former MTV doll Martha Quinn is the guest hostess for the evening, and, suffice it to say, stand up comedy wasn't her forte. She tried a joke about "wimps with big hair" when she guest hosted Fox's Late Show, and I think it's repeated here. Fortunately, MTV decided to bring her back into the fold some six weeks after this episode was first shown.
If I recall correctly, Dennis Wolfberg also would appear on MTV's -Half-Hour Comedy Hour as well as making the rounds of game & variety shows.
Rating: B.
Wikipedia claims An Evening At The Improv ran from 1982-96, which I find a little hard to believe, so I'll have to check for verification, since some Wikipedia contributors are about as accurate as a blind gecko. Genial, monocle wearing Budd Friedman got the show rolling with a few quick one-liners before turning it over to the host(ess) du jour until the end of the show. Sadly, A & E hasn't seen fit to dust this off for the sake of nostalgia, but luckily for us a select few episodes are available on Hulu, from whence we get this offering from December 1988. Former MTV doll Martha Quinn is the guest hostess for the evening, and, suffice it to say, stand up comedy wasn't her forte. She tried a joke about "wimps with big hair" when she guest hosted Fox's Late Show, and I think it's repeated here. Fortunately, MTV decided to bring her back into the fold some six weeks after this episode was first shown.
If I recall correctly, Dennis Wolfberg also would appear on MTV's -Half-Hour Comedy Hour as well as making the rounds of game & variety shows.
Rating: B.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Riddle me this: Jackpot! (1974)
It used to be that riddles were meant for giggles. In 1974, producer Bob Stewart decided to try to make them more about winning money.
Jackpot! lasted nearly 2 full years in its initial run on NBC, but was sabotaged by network executive Lin Bolen's demand that the riddles be sacrificed in favor of a traditional Q & A game. Apparently, someone in market research didn't have a clue.
Geoff Edwards hosted not only Jackpot!, but would fly across country to LA to do The New Treasure Hunt, a syndicated Chuck Barris entry, which was airing weekly around the same time. Back then, it was unprecedented. Edwards would another NBC show for Stewart, Shoot For The Stars, then came back to Jackpot! for its final go-round, also in syndication, in 1989, a year after a Canadian produced remake, which aired in the US on USA Network (now a sister network to NBC), had folded. Unfortunately, this Jackpot! failed to finish the season.
In memory of Edwards, who passed away a few days ago at 83, here's an episode of the original Jackpot!, with announcer Don Pardo (currently on Saturday Night Live), and the theme song, "Jet Set", composed by Mike Vickers, formerly of Manfred Mann's Earth Band, and better known as having also been used on This Week in Baseball:
I apologize for the poor quality, but full episodes are very rare, given the practices of the day. Thanks to Game Show Temple for the above video.
Rating: A-.
Jackpot! lasted nearly 2 full years in its initial run on NBC, but was sabotaged by network executive Lin Bolen's demand that the riddles be sacrificed in favor of a traditional Q & A game. Apparently, someone in market research didn't have a clue.
Geoff Edwards hosted not only Jackpot!, but would fly across country to LA to do The New Treasure Hunt, a syndicated Chuck Barris entry, which was airing weekly around the same time. Back then, it was unprecedented. Edwards would another NBC show for Stewart, Shoot For The Stars, then came back to Jackpot! for its final go-round, also in syndication, in 1989, a year after a Canadian produced remake, which aired in the US on USA Network (now a sister network to NBC), had folded. Unfortunately, this Jackpot! failed to finish the season.
In memory of Edwards, who passed away a few days ago at 83, here's an episode of the original Jackpot!, with announcer Don Pardo (currently on Saturday Night Live), and the theme song, "Jet Set", composed by Mike Vickers, formerly of Manfred Mann's Earth Band, and better known as having also been used on This Week in Baseball:
I apologize for the poor quality, but full episodes are very rare, given the practices of the day. Thanks to Game Show Temple for the above video.
Rating: A-.
MLB 2014 preview, part 3: AL East
American League East:
After their 3rd World Series title in the last decade, the BOSTON RED SOX do not return intact for their title defense. Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia left via free agency (Miami), as did center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (Yankees) and reliever Matt Thornton (Yankees). Starter Ryan Dempster announced he would take this season off. I'd bet he's probably a step away from retirement. Edward Mujica comes over from St. Louis to fill a bullpen vacancy created by Thornton's departure, and you know that the Joel Hanrahan experiment was a non-starter as Hanrahan was lost early to injury. Franklin Morales was dealt to Colorado, in exchange for infielder Jonathan Herrera.
The question remains, of course. Can Boston repeat? They couldn't in '05 and '08, so would '14 be any different? The YANKEES seem to think they're ready to return to the postseason after missing the party last year. In are Carlos Beltran (St. Louis), Brian McCann (Atlanta), Brian Roberts (Baltimore), & Kelly Johnson (Tampa Bay), in particular. Out are Curtis Granderson (Mets), and, of course, Alex Rodriguez. Masahiro Tanaka creates a Japanese 1-2 punch with Hiroki Kuroda behind CC Sabathia, but where the Yankees could get in trouble is if David Robertson falters as the closer, inheriting the mantle of Mariano Rivera.
The BALTIMORE ORIOLES didn't seem to have a problem losing Roberts, figuring Ryan Flaherty is ready for a full-time role at second. Then again, Flaherty is surrounded by stars in the infield, with Manny Machado & Chris Davis at the corners, and J. J. Hardy at short. However, closer Jim Johnson took the money and ran to Oakland, which gave up Jemile Weeks in return. Tommy Hunter is the new closer. Like the Yankees, the 9th inning will be worth watching in Baltimore at the start.
Last year, the TORONTO BLUE JAYS made so much noise, and got little in return for their investments. Worse, they dealt away one of those off-season investments, utilityman Emilio Bonifacio, in mid-season, and Kansas City gave up on him as well. Hmmmm. Josh Johnson is in San Diego. Catcher J. P. Arencibia went to Texas. Outfielder Rajai Davis is in Detroit. Toronto welcomes Erik Kratz, whom the Phillies gave up on (bad idea), but Dioner Navarro (Cubs) is the likely starter at catcher. No, they're still not ready to be a playoff team.
The TAMPA BAY RAYS will feel the loss of Kelly Johnson moreso than letting Fernando Rodney go (Seattle), trust me. We're looking at a sudden, but not steep, decline. Reliever Heath Bell (Arizona) is already on the downside of his career, on his 4th team in as many years. Good thing he's not the closer. Another good thing was retaining first baseman James Loney, who gives Evan Longoria and friends some help on offense.
Projected order of finish:
1. Boston.
2. Yankees.
3. Baltimore.
4. Tampa Bay.
4 (tie). Toronto.
After their 3rd World Series title in the last decade, the BOSTON RED SOX do not return intact for their title defense. Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia left via free agency (Miami), as did center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (Yankees) and reliever Matt Thornton (Yankees). Starter Ryan Dempster announced he would take this season off. I'd bet he's probably a step away from retirement. Edward Mujica comes over from St. Louis to fill a bullpen vacancy created by Thornton's departure, and you know that the Joel Hanrahan experiment was a non-starter as Hanrahan was lost early to injury. Franklin Morales was dealt to Colorado, in exchange for infielder Jonathan Herrera.
The question remains, of course. Can Boston repeat? They couldn't in '05 and '08, so would '14 be any different? The YANKEES seem to think they're ready to return to the postseason after missing the party last year. In are Carlos Beltran (St. Louis), Brian McCann (Atlanta), Brian Roberts (Baltimore), & Kelly Johnson (Tampa Bay), in particular. Out are Curtis Granderson (Mets), and, of course, Alex Rodriguez. Masahiro Tanaka creates a Japanese 1-2 punch with Hiroki Kuroda behind CC Sabathia, but where the Yankees could get in trouble is if David Robertson falters as the closer, inheriting the mantle of Mariano Rivera.
The BALTIMORE ORIOLES didn't seem to have a problem losing Roberts, figuring Ryan Flaherty is ready for a full-time role at second. Then again, Flaherty is surrounded by stars in the infield, with Manny Machado & Chris Davis at the corners, and J. J. Hardy at short. However, closer Jim Johnson took the money and ran to Oakland, which gave up Jemile Weeks in return. Tommy Hunter is the new closer. Like the Yankees, the 9th inning will be worth watching in Baltimore at the start.
Last year, the TORONTO BLUE JAYS made so much noise, and got little in return for their investments. Worse, they dealt away one of those off-season investments, utilityman Emilio Bonifacio, in mid-season, and Kansas City gave up on him as well. Hmmmm. Josh Johnson is in San Diego. Catcher J. P. Arencibia went to Texas. Outfielder Rajai Davis is in Detroit. Toronto welcomes Erik Kratz, whom the Phillies gave up on (bad idea), but Dioner Navarro (Cubs) is the likely starter at catcher. No, they're still not ready to be a playoff team.
The TAMPA BAY RAYS will feel the loss of Kelly Johnson moreso than letting Fernando Rodney go (Seattle), trust me. We're looking at a sudden, but not steep, decline. Reliever Heath Bell (Arizona) is already on the downside of his career, on his 4th team in as many years. Good thing he's not the closer. Another good thing was retaining first baseman James Loney, who gives Evan Longoria and friends some help on offense.
Projected order of finish:
1. Boston.
2. Yankees.
3. Baltimore.
4. Tampa Bay.
4 (tie). Toronto.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
What Might've Been: That's My Mama (1974)
If you've ever wondered what inspired the "Barbershop" comedies with Ice Cube and Cedric the Entertainer a few years back, well, you might want to hit the ol' WABAC machine and take a time trip about 40 years into the past.
That's My Mama was ABC's attempt to produce a hip, urban sitcom on the order of NBC's Sanford & Son. Unfortunately, it lasted barely three months into its 2nd season when the show was cancelled. The bitter irony was that the series finale aired on Christmas Eve, 1975.
Clifton Davis starred as an inner city barber, with Theresa Merritt as the Mama in the title. Most of the action, though, took place at the barbershop. Ted Lange, later of The Love Boat, played Junior, Clifton's best buddy, and was in line to star in an update of the series in the 80's, had it been cleared by enough stations in syndication. I think it was meant to be coupled with an updated What's Happening!.
That's My Mama boasted a creative pedigree that included comedy writers Alan Blye & Chris Bearde, who'd worked with the likes of Andy Williams and Sonny & Cher on their variety shows. Bearde also had a hand in the Hudson Brothers' short-lived Saturday morning variety series for CBS, which bowed the same year, and teamed with Chuck Barris to package The Gong Show. There were, however, some casting changes during the course of the series. Ed Bernard, for example, was cut after 2 episodes, replaced by Theodore Wilson. However, Columbia Pictures Television, which produced the series, found another gig for Bernard, casting him in the crime drama, Police Woman. Lynne Moody, who'd played Clifton's sister, left after the 1st season, replaced by Joan Pringle. Can't figure that one out.
In the late 80's, Clifton Davis & Jester Hairston (Wildcat) were reunited in an NBC sitcom, Amen. Davis today is an ordained minister and has occasionally hosted the TBN talk-variety series, Praise the Lord. Lange has recently resurfaced on GSN's Mind of a Man.
Here's the episode, "Honesty Day":
So much promise, but airing on Wednesday wasn't exactly the smartest of moves.
Rating: B.
That's My Mama was ABC's attempt to produce a hip, urban sitcom on the order of NBC's Sanford & Son. Unfortunately, it lasted barely three months into its 2nd season when the show was cancelled. The bitter irony was that the series finale aired on Christmas Eve, 1975.
Clifton Davis starred as an inner city barber, with Theresa Merritt as the Mama in the title. Most of the action, though, took place at the barbershop. Ted Lange, later of The Love Boat, played Junior, Clifton's best buddy, and was in line to star in an update of the series in the 80's, had it been cleared by enough stations in syndication. I think it was meant to be coupled with an updated What's Happening!.
That's My Mama boasted a creative pedigree that included comedy writers Alan Blye & Chris Bearde, who'd worked with the likes of Andy Williams and Sonny & Cher on their variety shows. Bearde also had a hand in the Hudson Brothers' short-lived Saturday morning variety series for CBS, which bowed the same year, and teamed with Chuck Barris to package The Gong Show. There were, however, some casting changes during the course of the series. Ed Bernard, for example, was cut after 2 episodes, replaced by Theodore Wilson. However, Columbia Pictures Television, which produced the series, found another gig for Bernard, casting him in the crime drama, Police Woman. Lynne Moody, who'd played Clifton's sister, left after the 1st season, replaced by Joan Pringle. Can't figure that one out.
In the late 80's, Clifton Davis & Jester Hairston (Wildcat) were reunited in an NBC sitcom, Amen. Davis today is an ordained minister and has occasionally hosted the TBN talk-variety series, Praise the Lord. Lange has recently resurfaced on GSN's Mind of a Man.
Here's the episode, "Honesty Day":
So much promise, but airing on Wednesday wasn't exactly the smartest of moves.
Rating: B.
Friday, March 7, 2014
MLB 2014 preview, part 2: NL East
National League East:
It's not so certain to say that the ATLANTA BRAVES are back. Yes, they ended a 7 year stretch where they weren't division champions, but they didn't get very far in the postseason.
And, then, there are changes. Catcher Brian McCann is gone (Yankees), but now 2nd year catcher Evan Gattis will be the understudy to Ryan Doumit, who comes over from Minnesota, and returns to the NL (previously was in Pittsburgh). Cosmetically, that's really the only major change in the starting lineup, as everyone else returns. Reliever Johnny Venters is back after missing most of last year due to injury, but Eric O'Flaherty is gone as well, and has landed in Oakland. Former staff ace Tim Hudson fled via free agency to San Francisco, so GM Frank Wren picks up Gavin Floyd from the White Sox to fill the void. However, Floyd is likely to be a reliever himself, provided Brandon Beachy is all the way back from injury.
No one expected the MIAMI MARLINS to be as competitive as they were last year. However, they're not sneaking up on anyone this time. Rookie of the Year Jose Fernandez raised eyebrows by hot-dogging it on the basepaths after hitting a homer vs. Atlanta. Sorry, but the 2nd coming of Dwight Gooden he ain't. Teams have to figure him out and quickly, otherwise, the 2nd year starter could be looking at a Cy Young award this year. Pretty heady stuff, and, yeah, Gooden pulled off that daily double in New York 30 years ago.
Offensively, Miami got some veteran help for Giancarlo Stanton. Shortstop Rafael Furcal missed last season, his last in St. Louis, but he's being asked to move to 2nd base this year, with Adeiny Hechavarria entrenched at short. Casey McGehee was in Japan last year after a cameo appearance with the Yankees in 2012. Donovan Solano, who was the starting second baseman last year, may start on the bench if Furcal is healthy. That's something that ain't so certain. Meanwhile, Jarrod Saltalamacchia becomes the catcher, coming over from the World Champion Red Sox, and returns to the NL East, where he started his career (Atlanta). Miami also upgraded at first, picking up Garrett Jones from Pittsburgh. Scary? Maybe.
The PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES have one glaring problem. Their star players are old. Period. They're the NL's answer to the Yankees, and ownership ain't exactly breaking the bank to solve the problem. Ryan Howard has had injury issues the last two seasons. So has Chase Utley. They're near the end of the trail, but then that's when the "Fightin' Phils" will start proving people wrong. They welcomed back Marlon Byrd, who started his career in Philadelphia, and played last year with the Mets & Pirates, to help Dominic Brown and Ben Revere in the outfield. To back up Carlos Ruiz, GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. signed journeyman Wil Nieves (Arizona), but there's a reason he's always on the move. Erik Kratz, who was being groomed as Ruiz's successor, was shipped off to Toronto for pitcher Brad Lincoln. Sounds to me like the Phils got the worst of that deal. Roy Halladay retired, but is Roberto Hernandez (Tampa Bay), the former Fausto Carmona, the answer? Cole Hamels, Mr. Hard Luck last year, will miss almost the first month, and then the Phillies picked up AJ Burnett (Pittsburgh). Makes the decision to cut Vance Worley loose after the 2012 season even more of a bad one, doesn't it? Sure it does. Worley wasn't exactly a world beater in Minnesota last year. Proof? The Mets lit him up.
Speaking of the METS, Sandy Alderson must have been drinking James Dolan's kool-aid, because the GM thinks the Mets can win 90 games this year. Uh, maybe, but I wouldn't count on it, especially if he's been anywhere near Dolan, who has all the basketball acumen of a bag of chips. An empty one, of course, but you get the idea.
Most of us assumed the WASHINGTON NATIONALS would have repeated as division champs last year. Didn't happen. Now, Davey Johnson has retired, and Matt Williams comes over from Kirk Gibson's coaching staff in Arizona to take over. The only real cosmetic change is in the starting rotation, as Doug Fister comes over from Detroit to be the 4th starter (he was a #2 in Detroit) behind Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, & Jordan Zimmermann. The starting offense remains intact, which helps, but they also signed free agent outfielder Nate McClouth (Baltimore) to provide some insurance behind the likes of Denard Span & Bryce Harper. Backup utilityman Steve Lombardozzi, Jr. was shipped off to Detroit for Fister. That may come back to bite the Nats later.
Projected order of finish:
1. Washington.
2. Atlanta.
3. Mets.
4. Miami.
5. Philadelphia.
It's not so certain to say that the ATLANTA BRAVES are back. Yes, they ended a 7 year stretch where they weren't division champions, but they didn't get very far in the postseason.
And, then, there are changes. Catcher Brian McCann is gone (Yankees), but now 2nd year catcher Evan Gattis will be the understudy to Ryan Doumit, who comes over from Minnesota, and returns to the NL (previously was in Pittsburgh). Cosmetically, that's really the only major change in the starting lineup, as everyone else returns. Reliever Johnny Venters is back after missing most of last year due to injury, but Eric O'Flaherty is gone as well, and has landed in Oakland. Former staff ace Tim Hudson fled via free agency to San Francisco, so GM Frank Wren picks up Gavin Floyd from the White Sox to fill the void. However, Floyd is likely to be a reliever himself, provided Brandon Beachy is all the way back from injury.
No one expected the MIAMI MARLINS to be as competitive as they were last year. However, they're not sneaking up on anyone this time. Rookie of the Year Jose Fernandez raised eyebrows by hot-dogging it on the basepaths after hitting a homer vs. Atlanta. Sorry, but the 2nd coming of Dwight Gooden he ain't. Teams have to figure him out and quickly, otherwise, the 2nd year starter could be looking at a Cy Young award this year. Pretty heady stuff, and, yeah, Gooden pulled off that daily double in New York 30 years ago.
Offensively, Miami got some veteran help for Giancarlo Stanton. Shortstop Rafael Furcal missed last season, his last in St. Louis, but he's being asked to move to 2nd base this year, with Adeiny Hechavarria entrenched at short. Casey McGehee was in Japan last year after a cameo appearance with the Yankees in 2012. Donovan Solano, who was the starting second baseman last year, may start on the bench if Furcal is healthy. That's something that ain't so certain. Meanwhile, Jarrod Saltalamacchia becomes the catcher, coming over from the World Champion Red Sox, and returns to the NL East, where he started his career (Atlanta). Miami also upgraded at first, picking up Garrett Jones from Pittsburgh. Scary? Maybe.
The PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES have one glaring problem. Their star players are old. Period. They're the NL's answer to the Yankees, and ownership ain't exactly breaking the bank to solve the problem. Ryan Howard has had injury issues the last two seasons. So has Chase Utley. They're near the end of the trail, but then that's when the "Fightin' Phils" will start proving people wrong. They welcomed back Marlon Byrd, who started his career in Philadelphia, and played last year with the Mets & Pirates, to help Dominic Brown and Ben Revere in the outfield. To back up Carlos Ruiz, GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. signed journeyman Wil Nieves (Arizona), but there's a reason he's always on the move. Erik Kratz, who was being groomed as Ruiz's successor, was shipped off to Toronto for pitcher Brad Lincoln. Sounds to me like the Phils got the worst of that deal. Roy Halladay retired, but is Roberto Hernandez (Tampa Bay), the former Fausto Carmona, the answer? Cole Hamels, Mr. Hard Luck last year, will miss almost the first month, and then the Phillies picked up AJ Burnett (Pittsburgh). Makes the decision to cut Vance Worley loose after the 2012 season even more of a bad one, doesn't it? Sure it does. Worley wasn't exactly a world beater in Minnesota last year. Proof? The Mets lit him up.
Speaking of the METS, Sandy Alderson must have been drinking James Dolan's kool-aid, because the GM thinks the Mets can win 90 games this year. Uh, maybe, but I wouldn't count on it, especially if he's been anywhere near Dolan, who has all the basketball acumen of a bag of chips. An empty one, of course, but you get the idea.
Most of us assumed the WASHINGTON NATIONALS would have repeated as division champs last year. Didn't happen. Now, Davey Johnson has retired, and Matt Williams comes over from Kirk Gibson's coaching staff in Arizona to take over. The only real cosmetic change is in the starting rotation, as Doug Fister comes over from Detroit to be the 4th starter (he was a #2 in Detroit) behind Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, & Jordan Zimmermann. The starting offense remains intact, which helps, but they also signed free agent outfielder Nate McClouth (Baltimore) to provide some insurance behind the likes of Denard Span & Bryce Harper. Backup utilityman Steve Lombardozzi, Jr. was shipped off to Detroit for Fister. That may come back to bite the Nats later.
Projected order of finish:
1. Washington.
2. Atlanta.
3. Mets.
4. Miami.
5. Philadelphia.
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