After seven long years, they’ve finally reached the promised land. The Washington Nationals have not only made the playoffs, but have also claimed the National League’s top seed with a 98-64 record, which was also tops in all of the majors.
The Nationals achieved this feat–going from a mediocre team last year to the best team in the league this year–by getting key contributions from young phenoms like Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg along with savvy veterans, such as Adam LaRoche, who finished fourth in the National League in home runs, and Edwin Jackson.
The Nationals were good on offense, as they ranked near the top of the majors in most team categories, including ranking tenth out of 30 teams in runs scored and ninth in batting average.
Exceptional Talent
However, it was their pitching that was truly dominant. The Nats finished second in the league in ERA, or Earned Run Average, and fifth in the league in quality starts, which is when the starting pitcher completes six innings of work without giving up more than three earned runs.
It’s not just the starters on the team that have done well, though.
“They have such a deep bench and one of the best bullpens in baseball,” said junior Rashad Shakib.
Despite the remarkable magnitude of the turnaround, at least a few people at Langley saw this day coming. “I predicted that they would do well. I know no one believes me, but for my son and I, our goal was for them to get to the playoffs,” said Principal Matt Ragone.
That’s a pretty bold statement considering that, since the Montreal Expos moved to Washington in 2005, the Nationals haven’t had a winning record. With success, though, comes controversy. This season marked the first time pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg would pitch from the start of the season since coming back from “Tommy John” surgery, which Strasburg needed to repair a torn ligament in his elbow. Because of the toll a full season could take on Strasburg, the Nationals decided to shut him down before the season ended, forcing him to miss the playoffs. They also did the same with another one of their pitchers, Jordan Zimmerman, the year before.
Langley students seem to agree that the Nats’ decision to force their ace to miss the playoffs was the right one, though.
“It was the right move because it worked for Jordan (Zimmerman),” said senior Nationals fan Jessica Miles.
Rashad seems to agree. “You’ve got to look at the big picture for the upcoming years. The Nats are one of the youngest and yet one of the best teams in all of baseball.”
Bitter Ending
Despite all the talent on the team, the Nats’ season came to a disappointing end when they lost their first playoff series against the St.Louis Cardinals. With the series tied 2-2 and the Nats up 7-5 in the ninth inning, closer Drew Storen, who is normally calm and composed under pressure, imploded and gave up four runs, sealing the loss.
Even without a playoff series victory, the Nationals had the great season that fans all over DC had been hoping for ever since they moved to Washington.