Washington Nationals: Reliving best moments from the 2019 Postseason
The Washington Nationals have won their first World Series in franchise history, so let’s revisit the best moments of the postseason.
The Washington Nationals finally won their first World Series title in franchise history–and it was the first year without Bryce Harper.
They started the season 19-31, and Dave Martinez was likely to be fired if the team kept losing. Well, they didn’t keep losing.
All they did was win in fact. They had the best record since then and rode that momentum all the way until they dogpiled on the mound.
So, with that said let’s revisit the best moments in the best month in Nationals history from the Wild Card game all the way up to Game 7 of the World Series.
Juan Soto go-ahead double in Wild Card Game
Washington Nationals phenom Juan Soto was not a very known player before the Wild Card game outside of the nation’s capital, but people got to know him throughout the postseason, and it started with the NL Wild Card Game.
It seemed like the game was over, as Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader was in the game but Juan Soto said not so fast.
He hit a bases-clearing double that brought in the go-ahead run, thanks to Trent Grisham who let the ball get passed him.
This double would propel the Nats to the National League Division Series to face the #1 seed in the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers. They would very soon learn who the real #1 team in the National League was. Let’s move to the top moments in the NLDS.
Ryan Zimmerman’s Game 4 Homer in NLDS
The Washington Nationals had to win Game 4 if they wanted their season to stay alive.
And Ryan Zimmerman delivered.
He hit a go-ahead home run at Nationals Park on a fastball up in the zone, depositing it into the green grass beyond the reach of Cody Bellinger and over the center-field wall to the left of the Curly W.
This homer was the biggest home run in Nationals history at the time, as it gave them the opportunity to go back to Los Angeles in a Game 5.
And then there was an even more important homer that occurred in Game 5.
Howie Kendrick’s Go-Ahead Grand Slam in Game 5 NLDS
The Washington Nationals were on the verge of elimination. Walker Buehler had pitched very well and Clayton Kershaw got out of a jam but then-manager Dave Roberts kept him in and then that is when the Nats got momentum.
Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto smacked back to back home runs to tie the game and send it into extras. Roberts also made another bad decision leaving Joe Kelly for a second inning.
He walked Juan Soto to load the bases, and then Howie Kendrick hit a fastball that was low and into the center field bleachers to propel the Nats to their first NLCS.
If there was an MVP for the Division Series, Kendrick would’ve been named it and deservedly so.
Now, let’s move to the NLCS where one pitcher proved his worth…
Stephen Strasburg strikes out 12 in Game 3 NLCS
Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg was shut down in the postseason early in his career, as the team wanted to prolong his career and save him for his prime, and it certainly worked out.
In Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, Strasburg was on his game throughout, and he struck out 12 including 8 with the changeup (yes you read that correctly).
The win against Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty ended the series, as the Nats got a 3-0 lead and then finished off the series the next day with the sweep, but Game 3 was the game that really sent Washington to their first World Series in their franchise history.
Let’s move on to the World Series…
Max Scherzer scratched from Game 5 start with neck spasms
This was not a good moment at the time when Nats fans heard the news that Max Scherzer was not going to start Game 5 vs Gerrit Cole, but it would be a few days later.
Max said in a press conference before the game that he couldn’t get out of bed that morning and so he had to practically fall out of bed and use his left arm to get up.
He said, “I couldn’t even dress myself… My wife had to help me so that’s where I’m at right now.”
Three days later he would deliver one of the most clutch performances in Nationals history…
Scherzer allows only 2 runs in Game 7 win
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Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer couldn’t lift his arm above his head when on Sunday night. Three days later he was starting in Game 7 of the World Series.
He allowed just two runs, which included a homer to Yuli Gurriel and a hit down the third base line by Carlos Correa.
Other than that he kept the Astros from getting anything rolling offensively, and it was enough to keep the Nats in the game, which was very important down the stretch…
Howie Kendrick go-ahead HR in Game 7 of World Series
Howie Kendrick won the NLCS MVP and would have won the NLDS MVP if there is one, and he came back big yet again.
He hit a go-ahead home run down the right-field line that hit the foul pole, sending Minute Maid Park into shock, but the Nats dugout into a frenzy.
After the homer Kendrick sat down with Eaton and did their “Clutch” celebration, mimicking the revving of a motorcycle.
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Kendrick just hit the biggest homer in Washington Nationals history, and it tops the list as the best moment of the 2019 Postseason for the Nationals.