Washington fought hard, but in the end, the bottom line is that the Nationals once again failed to advance in the playoffs.
They won 97 games this summer and were never really challenged in National League east. Zimmerman, Murphy, Rendon, Harper, all had great years. Yet the Nats still couldn't get over the hump.
What will it take? Up until Game 5 last night, which the Cubs won, 9-8, the Washington bats were pretty silent during the NL division series. The Nats saved their season by winning Game 4 in Wrigley Field, only to blow it all at home.
Bryce Harper is going to leave Washington after the 2018 season for the big bucks of free agency. Jayson Werth is moving on ( maybe back to the Phillies, who need an experienced extra outfield and clubhouse vet). How many more chances do the Nationals have, before young teams in the division, like the Pihllies, Marlins and Braves, challenge them for supremacy?
Meanwhile the Cubbies move on. I like the Dodgers in their upcoming national League Championship Series, which starts tomorrow in Los Angeles.But give Chicago credit. They could've folded in NL Central this season. But they didn't They could've packed it in after losing at home to Washington in game 4. But they didn't. Now the Cubs know how to win. They know what it takes and they want more.
I still say Dodgers on seven games. They are the rested team and the hungry team. I would never count the Cubs out. They are too good. I just like LA to win it all.
The American League Championship series begins tonight in Houston, where the Astros take on the Yankees. Houston has a good, young squad, and they seem to be coming on towards the end of the season. New York won their wild card game vs. Minnesota, then overcame a 2-0 deficit to upset Cleveland in the divisional series. The Baby Bronx Bombers were thought to be a year away from serious contention, but no so.
I'm picking the Yankees to advance to the World Series and take on their old rival, the Dodgers in a classic showdown.
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