Breaking down the National League Division Series
By Sam Clancy
Sep 28, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher
Jordan Zimmermann(27) reacts after the final out of his not hit game against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit:
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Giants vs. Nationals
The Nationals were the first team to celebrate a playoff berth in 2014. They clinched the NL East on Sept. 17 with a win against the Atlanta Braves. They dominated their division and finished with a 17-game lead over the Mets and Braves. Despite celebrating early, they also had a celebration on the final day of the regular season with Jordan Zimmerman‘s no-hitter.
The Giants’ season went the other way. They started the season with some history, Tim Lincecum‘s no-hitter and Yusmeiro Petit‘s consecutive outs record, but blew a massive lead to lose the division by six games to the Dodgers. They sent Madison Bumgarner to the mound and he dominated the Pirates in the NL Wild Card game, punching their ticket to divisional play. They will be without Mike Morse for the series and without Angel Pagan for the playoffs, but it’s an even year, so anything can happen given the Giants’ World Series titles in 2010 and 2012.