WASHINGTON — Forgive Washington Nationals owner Mark Lerner if he got swept up in the scene.

Speaking after a news conference Wednesday to announce the addition — via a $210 million, seven-year contract — of 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, Lerner was thinking big thoughts. After all, the club’s starting rotation, at least for the moment, also includes Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Doug Fister and Gio Gonzalez.

“If they all stay healthy,” began Lerner, whose father, Ted, is the team’s principal owner, “I guess it’s a possibility we may give up the fewest runs in National League history during a 162-game schedule, which is amazing.”

Let the speculation begin, then.

As it is, in 2014, Washington’s starters led the majors with a 3.04 ERA.