Can the Nats improve on a 50 road-win season?

It is pretty amazing to look back at how dominant a team the Nationals were on the road in 2017.

They went 50-31 away from home, far and away the best road record in the National League. Only the Indians and Astros had better road records (53-28) in all of baseball.

The 50-31 record on the road for the Nats was five games better than their 45-36 road record in 2016.

The Nats even won two out of three games in late August at Houston, the eventual World Series champions.

In 2012, the Nats went 48-33 on the raoad. In 2014 and 2016, they won 45 games away from Nats Park. But the 50 road wins this past season were their best in their division championship years.

The Nats also feasted on the NL East, with 47 of their 97 total wins coming in their own division (47-29, .618). By contrast, the Cubs went 46-30 against their own division. The Dodgers went only 41-35 against divisional opponents.

It all boils down to the Nats' strength: starting pitching and how that sets the tone for usually five, six or seven innings of a game. Limiting the opponent's chances to score gives your offense more chances to pull off 2-1, 3-2 or 5-3 wins. Add the "Law Firm" bullpen in the final three innings and that is a pretty good recipe for success.

Now in 2018, the Marlins are rebuilding and players are asking for trades. The Pirates shipped their two biggest names off before the season. The Dodgers and the Cubs will be tough, as will other clubs, but it does seem the National League is a bit watered down this upcoming season, a perfect opportunity for the Nats to possibly improve on the incredible 50-road win campaign of 2017.

* Although the deadline passed on Monday for public sale of tickets, the Potomac Nationals' 23rd annual Hot Stove Banquet and Silent Auction is Sunday, Jan. 28 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Old Hickory Golf Club in Woodbridge, Va.

MASN's "Nats Xtra" host Johnny Holliday is the keynote speaker.

The "Voice of the Potomac Nationals" and director of broadcasting and media relations Mike Weisman will serve as the emcee of the P-Nats' 2018 Hot Stove Banquet and Silent Auction.

In addition to a full slate of speakers, the P-Nats will also recognize the 2017 Potomac Nationals Player of the Year, Fan of the Year and Employee of the Year. They will also honor Prince William County's 2017 Baseball and Softball Players of the Year.

The Hot Stove Banquet will also feature the announcement of the 2018 P-Nats Fans' Choice Bobblehead.

More information is available at PotomacNationals.com.

* Another event coming up that would be of great interest to Nationals fans is the fourth annual "First Pitch Dinner" on Feb. 2 at the Fairfax Country Club. New manager Dave Martinez is the guest speaker and MASN's Phil Wood is a special guest.

For more information, click here.