What qualifies as success this season as the Washington Nationals open on Thursday?
Do we just forget last year's pandemic-shortened year when Washington finished 26-34 and never looked interested? Or, do we use 2019 as the benchmark given the World Series flag is finally getting hoisted at Nats Park?
Maybe happiness is just going to a ballgame, having a dog and a beer in the sun while enjoying the end of lockdown?
It's going to be another strange year because 2020 is not through with us yet, even if we're now one-fourth of the way through 2021. The mayor didn't want anyone walking among the cherry blossoms, so how many fans will see the inside of Nats Park this season?
By Labor Day, are we making the turn to full houses watching the Nats contend? Do fans finally miss Anthony Rendon at third base, especially with anointed successor Carter Kieboom stuck in the minors after batting not his weight in spring training, but one of a sixth-grader?
Meanwhile, NL East rivals are beefing up. The New York Mets are the early favorite over the Atlanta Braves with the Nationals barely outlasting the Philadelphia Phillies. Thank goodness the Miami Marlins still stink, but they're really not bad by last-place standards.
Washington had its run at the top and at least managed one World Series, even if blowing two other years. Time has taken Bryce Harper, Jordan Zimmermann and Rendon, though, while leaving Ryan Zimmerman just trying to stay in the game.
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Not that the Nats are starless. They still have the best 1-2 punch on the mound with Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. But, Scherzer looked mortal much of last year and is now 36. Strasburg is always a pitch away from teaching us about some obscure body part that's injured.
Outfielder Juan Soto is one of baseball's great young players capable of carrying the lineup at times. Trea Turner, 27, is in his prime as one of the game's best shortstops. Josh Bell is capable of a 30-homer season. Victor Robles is a solid leadoff man.
The bottom of the lineup has potential. Outfielder Kyle Schwarber was awful last season in Chicago, but 2020 stats are forgiven given it was a mini-season mirage. Still, Schwarber has never hit better than .250 in four previous full seasons. He can hit homers in bunches, though. This lineup will be a big-banger rather than station to station. Good – it's more exciting that way.
Infielder Starlin Castro is a steady hitter, catcher Yan Gomes is more about the glove and infielder Josh Harrison was red hot in spring training. So, maybe the bottom third won't kill rallies.
Washington may surprise once more like 2019, but it's going to be a grind. Then again, grinding is the essence of baseball given 162 games. If the Nats can win 90 and fans fill the seats, that's all anyone can ask in 2021.
Rick Snider has covered Washington sports since 1978. Follow him on Twitter: @Snide_Remarks.
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