2021 Topps Now Josiah Gray Call Up

 Alright Today's (This Month's) featured card is a Call Up for a starting pitcher. It is from 2021 Topps Now and features young RHP Josiah Gray who was acquired from the Dodgers in that Scherzer/Turner deal. (Now Scherzer is going to be a Met BLAH). It commemorates his 22 Sep 2021 call up First Career Win where he got 8Ks in 6 innings of work vs The Marlins

2021 Topps Now 842 Josiah Gray Washington Nationals

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July Deadline Fire Sale Trades Kill Washington

 OH BOY! The Nationals had a Trade Deadline Fire Sale for a bunch of Prospects. Included in the Trades are Max Scherzer AND Trea Turner to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Another two Nats I really liked were traded to the Oakland Athletics Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison. The other players who are now ExNats are Kyle Schwarber to Boston Red Sox, Daniel Hudson to San Diego Padres, and Brad Hand to Toronto Blue Jays. Each and every one of these trades disappoint me. I like all of them, especially Trea and Max. Sending Trea to LA royally ticks me off.

Max Scherzer and Trea Turner were the big event traded for four players: Catcher Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray RHP, Donovan Casey Outfield, and Gerardo Carillo RHP. The Dodgers have two more Nats Killers and now a second named "Turner". Josiah Gray has been showing to be OK, but he hasn't gotten a win as a Nat yet.

Image of Josh Harrison 2021 Topps card from tcdb.com

Yan Gomes and Josh Harrison were sent to Oakland for RHP Richard Guasch, RHP Seth Shuman and catcher Drew Millas

Kyle Schwarber goes to Boston for RHP Aldo Ramirez

Daniel Hudson to San Diego for RHP Mason Thompson and Short Stop/ 2nd Baseman Jordy Barley

card image from tcdb.com

Finally Brad Hand goes to Canada for catcher Riley Adams. Riley is showing to be pretty good offensively. 

Sadly the Nats will probably still have a losing season this year. Each year all I ask is for the Nats to at least go .500. Some years that is way too much to ask.

The images of Nats cards are from my collection except for the Josh Harrison card (I have it but didn't scan it) from tradingcarddatabase dot com. and Brad Hand Indians card also from tcdb.com

Treacycle Turner Ties Record On Birthday

 WOW! What a birthday present to give yourself; tying a Major League Baseball record. Well The Nats Shortstop Trea Turner did just that on Wednesday 30 June 2021 on the evening of his 28th Birthday. Trea hit for The Cycle vs the Tampa Bay Rays. The THIRD of his career making him the Fifth MLB player to do so. He joins Adrian Beltre (who had all three in the same park), Babe Herman, Bob Meusel and John Reilly in this rare feat. Currently Three is the most cycles any player has hit. Perhaps one day Trea will hit cycle number 4. That would be amazing. Trea's previous cycles were hit in 2017, and 2019. Trea has hit 3 of the 5 cycles in Nationals History. The only other Nationals to Hit for The Cycle are: Cristian Guzman in 2008 and Brad Wilkerson in 2005 in the Nat's 2nd game. Wilkerson was the first Nat to hit for the cycle he also hit for the cycle for the Montreal Expos in 2003.

2021 Topps Now Baseball: 433 Trea Turner Washington Nationals

The Treacycle

Cycle Number 1

Cycles 2 and 3

Related Link:

ESPN.com Washington National's Trea Turner becomes first player to hit for cycle on birthday in modern era

TRADE UPDATE:

UGH: While procrastinating on scanning this record tying card of Trea news broke of him being Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Max Scherzer for the July Trade Deadline. While news of Max getting traded was not a surprise and in the long run might be better for the Nats; Trea getting traded was a surprise and really ticked me off royally. 

We Shouldn't Be Here. Should We? NLDS EDITION

WOW! We shouldn't be here. Should we?

NLDS EDITION

Thursday 03 October - Wednesday 09 October 2019

Sneaking into the playoffs the Nationals beat the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wild Card game and Moved on to the NLDS to face the mighty 106 game winning Los Angeles Dodgers. To be painfully honest, the Nationals should NOT be in the position they wound up in. They started off the 2019 season dismally in what looked like it was going to be another sub par season. After 50 games and some early injuries always the injuries at inopportune times, they were a measly 19-31. Hardly a team that could make it to the playoffs. Then...

They started following skipper Dave Martinez's policy of going 1-0 every game. Don't worry about last night's loss, don't anticipate tomorrow's win just concentrate on the here and now one game at a time and "Stay in the Fight" and have fun. From mid May to the end of the season (and into the Playoffs) the Nationals got RED Hot and finished the regular season 93-69 and got the number one Wild Card spot with a 4 game lead ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Nats beat the Brewers in the Wild Card game 4-3 in a very unorthodox way with a Juan Soto bases clearing single with the help of a fielding error. That moves them on to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the best of 5 NLDS. The Dodgers went 106-56 during the regular season. The two teams met 7 times and the Dodgers bested the Nats 4-3. Once again these two teams face each other in the playoffs in the NLDS, the last match up was in 2016 in which the Dodgers took it 3-2

Since the Nationals are the Wild Card team the action for this series began in L.A

Game 1 Thursday 03 October 2019: Buehler, Buehler.

Starting pitcher match up for game 1 Dodgers Walker Buehler vs Patrick Corbin. Bottom of the first Corbin allows the bases to get loaded and then walks Max Muncy forcing the Dodgers first run of the game in. For three innings not much happens, bottom of 5th a Howie Kendrick fielding error allows the Dodgers to lead 2-0. Bottom of the 7th the Dodgers load the bases again on reliever Fernando Rodney a single by Max Muncy (UGH there that guy is again, he was a thorn during the regular season) scores 2 more runs putting the Dodgers ahead 4-0. The Nationals allow two more homers in the bottom of the 8th increasing the Dodgers lead to 6-0. That is how this one would end with the Nats getting only two hits and dropping game 1 with the score 6 to zip.

LOSS: 0-6
SERIES: Dodgers Lead 1-0

Game 2 Friday 04 October 2019: Clayton Kershaw vs Stephen Strasburg

Kershaw vs Strasburg long boring pitching duel? No not really. Top of the first Nationals draw first blood on a Howie Kendrick single that plates Trea Turner. Nats lead 1-0 for first time in series. They add two more in the 2nd with RBIs by Adam Eaton and Anthony Rendon and lead 3-0. Bottom of the 6th the Dodgers get on the board with a sac fly by Justin Turner. Score now 3-1 in favor of Nats. Bottom 7 Max Muncy (There's that Muncy guy again) Homers off of late innings reliever part-time closer Sean Doolittle shortening the Nats lead to 1 making it 3-2. Top 8 pinch hitter Asdrubal Cabrera singles driving in Ryan Zimmerman score now 4-2 Nats on top. Bottom of the 9th the Dodgers threaten to walk off on closer Daniel Hudson, they load the bases with a double by Justin Turner, Max Muncy is intentionally walked, Will Smith walks ...and then Corey Seager strikes out swinging fortunately for the Nationals they win 4-2 and tie up the series one game a piece.

WIN: 4-2
SERIES: Tied 1-1

Game 3 Sunday 06 October 2019: Hyun-Jin Ryu vs Patrick Corbin
Game three bottom of 1st starts out nicely Juan Soto Homers plating Adam Eaton Nats up 2-0. Then Top of the 5th The Evil NLDSeries Villain Max Muncy solo homers knocking the Nats lead down making the score 2-1. Top of the 6th the bottom falls out Russell Martin doubles scoring Cody Bellinger and David Freese. Dodgers pull ahead 3-2. Two batters later Kike Hernandez doubles scoring Russell Martin and Chris Taylor score is now 5-2. Oh but the scoring fun doesn't end there NO of course not. Nats killer Justin Turner homers scoring Kike Hernandez and Evil Max Muncy score is now 8-2 in favor of the Los Angeles Blue Boys. Bottom 6th Wild Pitch Anthony Rendon scores, Juan Soto to 3rd, Howie Kendrick to 2nd score now 8-3. Asdrubal Cabrera hits a sac fly Juan Soto scores, Howie Kendrick out advancing on throw score now 8-4. Top of the 9th final damage done Russell Martin Homers scoring David Freese as well final score 10-4 Dodgers ahead in series 2-1.

LOSS: 4-10
SERIES: Dodgers Lead 2-1

Game 4 Monday 07 October 2019: Max Scherzer vs Rich Hill
Top of the 1st the Dodgers draw first blood Justin Turner solo homers LA up 1-0. Bottom of the 3rd Anthony Rendon hits a sac fly Michael A. Taylor scores Nats tie it up 1-1. Bottom of the 5th Anthony Rendon singles and Trea Turner scores Nats now up 2-1. A few batters later Ryan Zimmerman Homers bringing with him Anthony Rendon and Howie Kendrick score is now 5-1 Nats. Bottom 6th Anthony Rendon sac flies again this time scoring Trea Turner Nats up 6-1 and that would be the final score.

WIN:  6-1
SERIES: Tied 2-2

Game 5 Wednesday 09 October 2019: Walker Buehler vs Stephen Strasburg.
Game 5 began as many of the Nats loses began during the season and even in the postseason with the opposing team scoring a 2 run homer in the 1st. Max Muncy homers taking Joc Pederson with him. Dodgers up 2-0. Bottom 2nd Kike Hernandez helps the Dodgers killing cause by homering and raising the score 3-0. Things are not going well for Natstown. Then 3 innings of pitchers duel and hopes of making it past the first playoff round are all but dashed. Top of the 6th a spark named Juan Soto  singles Anthony Rendon scores. Nats are on the board score is now 3-1. The 7th inning passes by with little action.Top of the 8th Anthony Rendon homers, followed by Juan Soto homering score now tied 3-3. A light appears at the end of the dark playoff tunnel. The 9th inning shows some promise but comes up empty. Bottom 9th Daniel Hudson holds off the Dodgers, here we go extra innings. Oh boy the Nats are not great at these extra long games. Top of the 10th: Adam Eaton works a full count and draws a walk;  Anthony Rendon hits a ground rule double runners on 2nd and 3rd; Juan Soto is intentionally walked bases loaded for Howie Kendrick. Strike one, on the second pitch Howie Kendrick smashes a grand slam; Adam Eaton scores, Anthony Rendon scores and Juan Soto scores Nats break the game open lead 7-3. Next batters: Ryan Zimmerman lines out, Yan Gomes singles, Michael A. Taylor pops out; Brian Dozier pops out. Bottom 10th Dodgers come up will the postseason doom for the Nats continue? Sean Doolittle comes out of the bullpen to hopefully hold the Dodgers down. A.J. Pollock strikes out swinging. Max Muncy (UH-OH) grounds out to first (Phew). Justin Turner flies out to center Michael A. Tayler makes a spectacular diving catch, gets up and holds the ball as if he is asking what did he just do. Once again the Nationals comeback from behind to win a postseason game and series.

WIN: 7-3 (10)
SERIES: NATIONALS WIN 3-2

Game 5 highlights

 All of Los Angeles is stunned, even super fan Alyssa Milano doesn't know what to say.

Nationals Win NLDS for first time as Washington Nationals. They move onto the NLCS for the first time as The Nationals. Next opponent St. Louis Cardinals their 2012 NLDS nemesis.

We shouldn't be here. Should we? WILD CARD EDITION

WOW! We shouldn't be here. Should we?

WILD CARD EDITION

Tuesday 01 October 2019

The Nationals sneaked into the playoffs. They may have lost the NL East Division to the mighty Braves, but they managed to get into the Wild Card game. To be painfully honest, the Nationals should NOT be in the position they wound up in. They started off the 2019 season dismally in what looked like it was going to be another sub par season, maybe even a losing season (which they haven't had since 2011 when they went 80-81 missing a rained out game that wasn't vital to any post seasons for anyone). After 50 games and some early injuries always the injuries at inopportune times, they were a measly 19-31. Hardly a team that could make it to the playoffs. Then...

They started following skipper Dave Martinez's policy of going 1-0 every game. Don't worry about last night's loss or bask in the glory of the win the day before, don't anticipate tomorrow's win just concentrate on the here and now one game at a time and "Stay in the Fight" and have fun. From mid May to the end of the season (and into the Playoffs) the Nationals got RED Hot and finished the regular season 93-69 and got the number one Wild Card spot with a 4 game lead ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers who finished 89-73.

So they play the Brewers in the one game "win it and you're in it" Wild Card game. During the regular season the two teams met six times and the Brewers  bested the Nats 4-2. The Wild Card game would begin in a similar fashion. The Brewers scored a two run homer in the first adding another homer in the second to bring them quickly up 3-0. Bottom of the 3rd the Nats answer back with a solo homer by Trea Turner making it 3-1. The score would remain there 4 solid innings and on through the top of the 8th.

Then came the crazy bottom of the 8th. Center fielder Victor Robles strikes out swinging. Then comes in young pinch hitter Michael A. Taylor hitting for the pitcher Stephen Strasburg. Taylor gets hit by a pitch. Next batter Trea Turner strikes out swinging. One on and two out the face of the franchise Ryan Zimmerman pinch hits and gets a broken bat single, speedy Taylor reaches 3rd. Zimmerman is lifted for pinch runner Andrew Stephenson. Next batter Tony "Two Bags" Rendon draws a walk, Stephenson goes to second, bases are loaded. 20 year old Juan Soto comes to bat. On the count of 1-1 Soto hits a single. Taylor scores easily, Stephenson also scores, Rendon reaches 3rd. The Brewers fielder makes an error lets the ball get by him and boots it some, Rendon scores, Soto reaches second then gets caught in a rundown, Nats pull ahead 4-3.

Top of the 9th Brewers strike out swinging, single, foul out, and line out to end game. Nats win 4-3 and advance to the NLDS to face the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Highlights:
2019 NL Wild Card Game
Another YouTube Video

Rookie Duo of Juan Soto

For this quick and dirty end of the month post I am showing two cards from one player. Not my normal sneaky Senator's Singles end of the month post. One of the Nats hot youngsters currently Juan Soto. Juan made his Major League debut on 20 May 2018 vs The Dodgers and unfortunately struck out. However he would start the next game knocking in a 3 run homer his first at bat bottom 2nd, and go 2 for 4 vs The Padres in a 10-2 win for the Nats

Here are the cards both are from the 2018 Topps Baseball Update Set: I got these from Sportlots one seller two auctions (Rookie Debut for 25¢ and the other for 75¢ plus $3.98 shipping for both)

2018 Topps Baseball Update: US104 Juan Soto RC Rookie Debut 20 May 2018

2018 Topps Baseball Update: US300 Juan Soto RC

Senators Singles: 2011 Topps Roger Bernadina

2011 Topps Baseball 84 Roger Bernadina

In my last Senators Singles post on Tyler Clippard I mentioned a second card that was promised but never mentioned. This one features Roger Bernadina. Roger made a spectacular game saving catch against the Astros in 2012 to end and save the game in the 12th inning. One of my all-time fave Nationals plays.

Most of the images in this tile were screengrabs from video. I didn't bother trying to edit brightness or anything else. The first image was from a blog but looks to be originally from the Washington Post. That photo is from a different better angle than the video which is from the original MASN broadcast. The straight on angle would show better continuity and wouldn't have the post block some of the action.

Oh and look who was pitching - Tyler Clippard.

Screengrab from MASN video. 07 Aug 2012 Nats @ Astros

Now the Senator's Singles Card:

2011 Topps Baseball 84 Roger Bernadina

When Bernadina was with the Nats he had the nickname "The Shark" because of the way he would hunt down and snatch the ball to make spectacular catches. The last MLB team Roger appeared in a game with was the Dodgers in 2014.He was last contracted in 2016 with the Mets for the minor leagues. In November of 2016 Roger signed with the Kia Tigers in the Korean Baseball League (KBO League) in December 2017 he signed a one year contract with the KBO Tigers.

Image from Bernadinakia on Twitter

Related Links:

Nationals vs Astros: Danny Espinosa has 3 RBIs - Washington Post

Washington Nationals Fans Begin to Ask "Could This Be Our Year?" - Washington Post

2017 NLDS vs Chicago Cubs Final Results

2017 NLDS

vs Chicago Cubs
Cubs Won Series 3-2

In much the same way Snoopy imagines himself to be the World Famous World War I Flying Ace, I have been the World Famous Postseason Playoffs Professional Procrastinator when it comes time to post about the Nats Post-Season events and this post.  Sadly no cards will be shown in this post. I need to just get this post out there. This was the fourth time the Nats made the Post Season in six years and this is only my second end of the series results post things. Last year I made a quite detailed post with a game-by-game analysis. 

So the players aka Teams in this drama, were the 97-67 Nats, their second best season record and the 92-70 Cubs (who just happen to be the defending World Series Champs) . Once again the Nationals had home field advantage which usually doesn't matter all that much or at all.

Kyle Hendricks, Stephen Strasburg - Getty Image patch.com

Game 1: Friday 06 October Nationals Park, Washington, DC - Loss 0-3
Sleep overwhelmed me so I didn't actually see any of this tragic game. Apparently the first five innings were just a pitching duel between Kyle Hendricks and Stephen Strasburg no biggie. Top of the 6th the damage began. Kris Bryant singled to bring in Javier Baez to break the scorelessness 1-0. Next batter Anthony Rizzo singles Bryant home making the score 2-0 Cubs favor. Top of the 8th Rizzo doubles to bring in Jon Jay beating the Nats 3-0.

Game 2: Saturday 07 October Nationals Park, Washington, DC - Win 6-3
It is at this point in the draft for this post that it has been so long since this series has played I don't recall how much of the remaining games I actually watched. So I must rely on what the Internet has to say about the details of the games. Good things started happening for the Nats right from the bottom of the first. Anthony Rendon knocks a solo homer in 1-0 Nats. Top of the second, not so good for the Nats right off the bat literally, the Cubs answer back with a homer from first batter Willson Contreras to make things 1-1. Top of the 4th things get a bit worse for the homie Nats. The Cubs Anthony, Anthony Rizzo knocks a two run homer making it 3-1 in favor of the Cubs. After loading the bases at the bottom of the 5th and not doing diddly a few innings later in the bottom of the 8th good things for the Nats started happening again. Adam Lind leads off with a pinch-hit single then Bryce Harper homers bringing Lind in and tying things up 3-3. Then Anthony Rendon is walked, Daniel Murphy singles and Ryan Zimmerman knocks in a 3 run Homer putting the Nats on top 6-3. Closer Sean Doolittle then shuts the door on the Cubs. Nats win 6-3. Series tied 1-1.

Ryan Zimmerman and Daniel Murphy - Getty Image

Game 3: Monday 09 October Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL - Loss 1-2
The series moves to Chicago where our Ace Max Scherzer and the Cubs Jose Qunitana duel for 5 innings. The Nats strike first in the top of the 6th when Daniel Murphy turns a dropped fly ball to left that then gets kicked into a triple. Ryan Zimmerman doubles Murphy home putting the Nats up 1-0. Then it unraveled in the bottom of the 7th Scherzer allows the Cubs first hit a double to Ben Zorbrist. Scherzer is replaced by Sammy Solis who gives up a single RBI to Albert Almara tying the game 1-1. Moving to the bottom of the 8th Tommy La Stella gets a lead-off walk is then sac bunted to 2nd. Then The Wrong Anthony, Anthony Rizzo hits a bloop single to left center scoring pinch-runner Leonys Martin putting the Cubs ahead 2-1 for the win and 2-1 lead in the series.

Max Scherzer leaving mound game 3 - Washington Post John McDonnell

Game 4: Tuesday 10 October Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL - Postponed
                Wednesday 11 October Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL - Win 5-0
Things turned around for this game after being rained out the night before. Originally Tanner Roark was going to be the Nats pitcher, but a few hours before the game started they announced it would be Stephen Strasburg starting on the mound for Washington. The game was windy and a little rainy but the game went on and the scoring started at the top of the 3rd. With 2 on and 2 outs Ryan Zimmerman hits a grounder to the shortstop who has trouble with the ball allowing Trea Turner to score and Ryan to reach 1st safely. Nats up 1-0. Moving on to the top of the 8th. Daniel Murphy singles to right center, Anthony the good Anthony Rendon draws a walk. Matt Wieters walks to load the bases. Next batter Michael Taylor hits a ball that barely escapes out of right field for a Grand Slam the Nats increase their shut-out lead 5-0 and win with it. The series is now tied 2-2 and it moves back to DC. Can the Nats win and move on to the NLCS or will it be another "one and done" year?

Michael Taylor hitting Grand Slam - USA Today Dennis Wietzbicki

Game 5: Thursday 12 October Nationals Park, Washington, DC - Loss 8-9
The final game of the series, both teams face elimination or advancement to the NCLS to face LA. The starting pitchers are Kyle Hendricks for Da Cubbies and Gio Gonzalez for the Nats. The Cubs started things off in the top of the first whenThe Evil Anthony (Anthony Rizzo) scored Jon Jay with an RBI groundout. Seriously? First he scores in one game with a bloop single now he's scoring someone with a sac grounder? OK cubs lead 1-0. Now we go bottom of the 2nd. Good guy Daniel Murphy launches a first pitch homer to tie it up 1-1. Michael A. "Tator" Taylor smacks a 3 run homer to the left bringing in Anthony "The Good Anthony" Rendon and Matt Wieters home. This puts the Nats up top 4-1. Top of the 3rd we go Cubs load the bases and with one out Addison Russell grounds out to shortstop but Kris Bryant scores Nats lead now only 4-2. On next batter Jason Heyward, Gio throws a wild pitch that scores Wilson Contreras bringing the Cubs within one making it just 4-3. Top of the 5th Cubs do some damage. Addison Russell doubles to left Wilson Contreras and Ben Zobrist score putting Cubs on top 5-4. Jason Heyward is intentionally walked. Next batter Javier Baez strikes out but Wieters allows past ball get away, Wieters throws to first but the ball gets past Ryan Zimmerman AND Daniel Murphy allowing Addison Russell to score. Cubs up 6-4. Pinch hitter Tommy La Stella reaches base on catchers error loads the bases. Jon Jay gets hit by pitch forcing in a run score is now 7-4. Top of 6th Addison Russel doubles to left (again) and Ben Zobrist scores 8=4 Cubs. Bottom of 6th with 2 outs Jayson Werth walks, Bryce Harper doubles. Ryan Zimmerman at bat with full count a wild pitch sends Werth home and puts Ryan on base. Score now 8-5 in favor of Cubs. Next batter Daniel Murphy doubles bringing Harper home 8-6. Top of 7th Kris Bryant ground out sacs scoring Kyle Schwarber 9-6. Bottom of 7th Harper sac flies to center scoring Michael Taylor score now 9-7. Bottom 8th Michael Taylor singles to center scoring Daniel Murphy 9-8 and that would be the final score.

Bryce Harper makes the final out in game 5 to end the Nats 2017 Season - Chicago Tribune

Series Results:

Game 1: 06 October 2017 - Loss 0-3

Game 2: 07 October 2017 - Win 6-3

Game 3: 09 October 2017 - Loss 1-2

Game 4: 11 October 2017 - Win 5-0

Game 5: 12 October 2017 - Loss 8-9
Cubs Win Series 3-2

Chicago Cubs pose for picture on field at Nationals Park after winning NLDS - Chicago Tribune

The Cubs moved on to the NLCS to once again battle the Dodgers who had eliminated the Diamondbacks in their NLDS (West). The winner will meet either the Astros or Yankees in the World Series. Last year's AL Champs the Cleveland Indians were eliminated by the Yankees this year's ALDS in 5 games. So the Cubs lost to the Dodgers. The Astros beat the Yankees and went on to win the World Series against the Dodgers in 7 grueling games.

The image at the top of this post is from the Series Preview at bleachernation.com

Nats Mentioned in this post:
Sean Doolittle
Gio Gonzalez
Bryce Harper
Adam Lind
Daniel Murphy
Anthony Rendon
Tanner Roark
Max Scherzer
Sammy Solis
Stephen Strasburg
Michael Taylor
Trea Turner
Jayson Werth
Matt Wieters
Ryan Zimmerman

2016 NLDS vs Los Angeles Dodgers Results

2016 NLDS

vs Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers Won Series 3-2

Back in 2012 when the Nats took their first trip to the National League Divisional Series, I was too excited and then too depressed to do any sort of review post. Then in 2014 I was again depressed by the results. Well this year, the third year in five that the Nats have made the postseason, I decided that win or lose I'd do a post about the series.

The NLDS is a best out of five games series, and much like the Wild Card "play-in" game it comes and goes too swiftly. 3 wins and you move on to the Championship Series (NLCS). Lose those 3 and your season is over. The Nationals for this series won "home field" advantage by having the better season record 95-67 to the Dodgers 91-71. In the long run home field gets the advantage of an extra game and the homie crowd for one more game.. 

Game 1: Friday 07 October 2016 Nationals Park, Washington DC - Loss 3-4

The first game of the series was a real uphill battle. Unfortunately the Nationals lost. The first inning was soiled with a solo homer by LA's Corey Seager apparently he is their golden child this season. The first pitch he saw he knocks it out. Good thing he was the second batter and the lead off man had struck out. Things would only get worse from there. The Dodgers would tack on 3 more runs in the top of the third making it a 4-0 game. The nationals were able to cut the lead in half with a two-run homer by Anthony Redon that scored Bryce Harper and Jason Werth. The Nationals would then get their third and final run in the bottom of the 4th with a sac fly by Trea Turner to send catcher Pedro Severino home. The Nats would make a few more attempts to score but no love there.

Game 2: Sunday 09 October 2016 Nationals Park, Washington DC - Win 5-2
Game 2 of the series was rained out on its original Saturday game day 08 October then postponed for Sunday. This game started out much like the first Golden Boy Corey Seager knocked in a solo homer top of the first. Dodgers fans were wetting themselves with glee. The next scoring was again top of the 3rd this time just one run Josh Reddick singled and Justin Turner scored. That would be the final scoring by the Dodgers. The rest of the scoring would be ALL WASHINGTON starting bottom 4th with José Lobatón knocking a 3 run homer scoring the Brothers Dan Daniel Murphy and Danny Espinosa. Then next inning would be last year's wonder boy for the Mets Daniel Murphy hitting a single to get Trea Turner in. Then the bottom of the 7th Murphy would single again this time sending Jayson Werth home.

Game 3: Monday 10 October 2016 Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA - Win 8-3
For Game 3 the fun moved to the left coast. This time bottom of the 1st. Yep you guessed it Corey Seager bats, but not a solo homer but a deep double that scores LAs Mr. Turner (Justin). Move to the top of the 3rd it is Jayson Werth's turn to double and for Washington's Mr. Turner (Trea) to score. Game tied 1-1. Bryce Harper singles and Jayson Werth Scores. Anthony Rendón homers deep left center (412 ft.), Bryce Harper scores. 4-1 Washington. Bottom of 5th Carlos Ruiz homers deep left center Joc Paderson scores 4-3 Washington. Then all is quiet until the top of the 9th. Jayson Werth homers deep left center (5-3), Ryan Zimmerman doubles deep right sending both Daniel Murphy and Bryce Harper home (7-3) he advances to 3rd on throw. Chris Heisey hits a sac-fly to left scoring Ryan Zimmerman 8-3. Nats take lead in series 2 games to 1. And that Mrs. Lincoln is all she wrote.

Game 4: Tuesday 11 October 2016 Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA - Loss 5-6
Game 4 could have been a historic game for the Nationals. It SHOULD have been, but alas it was not. Top of the first Nats draw first blood Daniel Murphy singles to right Trea Turner scores (1-0). Bottom of the 1st Dodgers come back Adrian Gonzalez homers deep right also scoring Justin Turner. (1-2) Top of the 3rd Daniel Murphey does it again with a sac fly to center to plate Trea Turner (2-2). Bottom 3rd Justin Turner (Wrong Mr. Turner) singles to left center and Clayton Kershaw scores (2-3). WHAT? Their Pitcher? Oh yeah he did get on base Blah. Then with bases loaded Joc Pederson is hit by a pitch again Justin Turner scores (2-4). Bottom 5th Joc Pederson doubles to left scoring Josh Reddick (2-5). Top 7th bases loaded Jayson Werth hit by pitch Danny Espinosa scores Nationals turn for that fun trick (3-5). Daniel Murphy singles left center Trea Turner and Bryce Harper score tying the game 5-5. Bottom of the 8th Chase Utley (Huh? Haven't seen that troublemaker for some time) singles right center Andrew Toles scores go-ahead run (5-6). Big heavy sigh Dodgers tie series 2-2.

Game 5: Thursday 13 October 2016 Nationals Park, Washington DC - Loss 3-4
Game 5 the one that decided the whole enchilada. This was perhaps the biggest dramatic game of the series along with game 4. For the first 7 innings it was super, then the hour and a half long 7th inning turned sour. There was some hope near the end but it was quickly extinguished. The scoring got started in the bottom of the 2nd with the Brothers Dan. Danny Espinosa singled to right sending Daniel Murphy home 1-0. The score would stay that way for most of the game until the 7th inning. It didn't help matters that the bottom of the 6th ended with Jayson Werth trying to squeeze home. He was sent by 3rd base coach as the ball, hit by Zimmerman who doubled left, was about even with 3rd base. In the top 7th Joc Pederson knocks a solo homer deep left center 1-1. Carlos Ruiz singles shallow left scoring Ausin Barnes 1-2 with just one out. Then Justin Turner triples to deep center scoring Howie Kendrick and Carlos Ruiz 1-4. The top of the 7th alone ran for about 45 minutes and the Nats break a sad NLDS record of using 6 pitchers in just one inning. Bottom 7th Chris Heisey knocks in a 2 run homer deep left plating Danny Espinosa and bringing the game to within one run 3-4 with no outs. Sadly that would be the final scoring of the game. The Dodgers move on to the NLCS against the Cubs.

Series Results: Dodgers Win Series 3-2

Game 1: 07 October 2016 - Loss 3-4

Game 2: 09 October 2016 - Win 5-2

Game 3: 10 October 2016 - Win 8-3

Game 4: 11 October 2016 - Loss 5-6
Game 5: 13 October 2016 - Loss 3-4

Alyssa is Happy

Extras:
Parody of Taylor Swift's Shake It Off by Keith Elgin (Video) 2016 Nats Playoff Theme It isn't great but it is a fun fan-made parody. He debuted the song LIVE at a restaurant Ben's Chili Bowl a DC area landmark. He also sang it live on local radio (WRQX "Mix 107.3") on the Jack Diamond Morning Show

To conclude this semi-sweet post. Thank you Nationals for an exciting season with an excellent run. Plus an exciting NLDS especially the drama of games 4 and 5. I wish this Post Season was not a repeat of the last two even year seasons (2012 and 2014). Sadly the Nationals post season record is much like the Capitals Post Seasons. Get to the first round then lose.