The Washington Nationals defeat the Houston Astros 6-2 in Game 7 of the 2019 World Series. 

There is nothing like a Game 7 in sports. (I mean, they do say it’s the best two words in sports.) For the first time in World Series history the road teams won the first six games. The Nationals came into game 1 as the underdogs. Not much to expect from the 5th seed considering the fact the Nationals have never made it passed the NLDS since relocating to Washington. One of the biggest factors that put the Astros as the favorites, was their starting rotation. Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, and Gerrit Cole (who isn’t an “employee of the team” anymore) all posed a threat to the inexperienced Nationals. 

But the Nationals hitting squad had other plans. In the NLDS Washington tore the Dodgers pitchers apart. In game 2 the Nats were able to hit the ball 6 times for 3 runs against Clayton Kershaw through 6 innings. (Then again Kershaw can’t pitch in the postseason so there’s no surprise there.) Throughout the postseason the Nationals proved to be “road warriors.” In 9 away games the Nationals won 8 of them. Their only away loss came in Game 1 of the NLDS in LA 6-0. 

Juan Soto lead the Nats in hits with 9 and in home runs with 3 in 27 at bats during the World Series. Ryan Zimmerman “Mr. National” got finally got his ring after being the first player ever in the National’s organization. Sean Doolittle had the lowest era of all pitchers in the postseason with 1.74, allowing just 6 hits, 2 runs, 1, homerun, and 8 strikeouts in 9 games and 10.1 IP. Pitcher Steven Strasburg won all five of his starts in the postseason, and had the lowest era of all starting pitchers with a 1.98 era. 

Meanwhile, the Astros were looking for their 2nd championship in 3 years. Their starting pitching was on of the best in the league. Greinke, Verlander, and Cole all put their best pitching throughout the whole postseason. Former Pirate Gerrit Cole had the lowest era of all starting pitchers with 1.72 era. But during the Fall Classic Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke all struggled to put up numbers. There average era was 4.50. Combined they averaged 31.5 strikeouts throughout the playoffs. (Gerrit Cole had 47 in the playoffs.) They also combined for 24 walks and Cole had 11. Jose Altuve led Houston in hits with 25 in 76 at bats. Although Houston had the upper defensively the Nationals batting went above and beyond throughout the Championship run. And I think it’s safe to say that the Nationals deserved their 1st World Series as the underdogs along with Ryan Zimmerman who has stayed loyal to the Nationals for 14 years.