Washington Nationals: 2019 World Series Champs

Image credit: Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Last Wednesday, the Washington Nationals completed their storybook season by winning the 2019 World Series. Washington took home there first ever franchise World Championship defeating the Houston Astros 6-2 in game seven.

After Bryce Harper departed to Philadelphia, no one expected Washington to claim its first World Series, let alone make a playoff berth. What was expected was a season where young players got to develop, while veterans proved enough to be sold at the deadline for prospects, and through the first 2 months of the season that’s what it looked like as they were 24-33.

Then, something clicked for the Nats’. Anthony Rendon looked like an MVP candidate; Juan Soto replaced Harper sufficiently slashing .282 hitting 34 home runs and driving in 110 RBI’s, which was statistically better than Harper’s year as a Philly.

The remaining four months, Washington dominated. There second half was incredible as they went 69-36 and proving to be the hottest team in baseball. Still, not many people held the Nats’ to such a threatening team in the playoffs. Washington beat the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Wildcard, then advanced to play the 106-56 Los Angeles Dodgers. Many had the Dodgers as the NL World Series favorites, so this should’ve been a cakewalk for the 100-win team, yet it was quite the opposite.

The Dodgers won a game, the Nationals won a game, the Dodgers win, the Nationals win, and then game five Washington took the series in fashion after long-time veteran Howie Kendrick hit a grand slam in the 10th inning. It showed Washington's fight and was the exclamation point they needed to cap off an eventful series.

The NLCS saw the Nationals play their ‘easiest’ matchup thus far against the St. Luis Cardinals. The Cardinals showed no hesitancy, as Washington annihilated its opponent in a four-game sweep taking them to their first-ever World Series. Regardless of who won in the ALCS, The New York Yankees or the Houston Astros it’d be tough series for the ‘Miracle’ Nats’.

Seven games, for one team to be crowned champions of the league. Stros’-Nats’. Well as the story is now told... Your 2019 World Series Champions would be the Washington Nationals, claiming their first in franchise history. One of the most historic series of all-time, neither team winning a game at home. Stephen Strasburg taking home the World Series MVP, Ryan Zimmerman, the Nationals first-ever draft pick winning his first-ever WS appearance, Max Scherzer fighting through a neck injury to play in game seven, just a true movie-like season.

Even as a New York Mets fan... Congratulations Washington!

- Alex Fortuna