Can the Nationals Re-write the so called "D.C.Sports Curse" ?

The Washington Nationals have been mentioned in World Series talk for several
seasons as a so called "Super Team" but this team is built different and looking to win.
Graphics via Carroll Porter III

  It's time for October baseball and the Washington Nationals are poised to make some noise in the MLB playoffs this time around. Nationals fans have been disappointed at the recent results from previous NL East Champs but for the first time this team is coming in as a Wild Card. Although some luck, timely bounces, solid pitching, defense and the bullpen finally figuring itself out, could go a long way. This team has faced more adversity than it has before and no one is expecting them to win it all. This is a similar storyline for the 2018 Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals, and may repeat itself with this team. I'm gonna talk about a few things that have me thinking it may be possible. Now granted they do have a very tough task ahead of them to make this happen but, in the immortal words one of my favorite NBA players, Kevin Garnett......ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!!

Be sure to come out to Martini's Restaurant Sports Bar & Lounge for
#NFLGameday & #MLBPlayoffs. Enjoy some good food, drinks and people.

  Most sports fans, experts & analyst didn't even expect the Nationals to make the playoffs after losing Bryce Harper via free agency. I stated on Sports On The Hill Podcast at the beginning of the season that this team still has plenty of talent to not miss a beat and still compete. The cupboard isn't bare at all, with young talented players like Juan Soto, Victor Robles, Trea Turner & Anthony Rendon and with solid pitchers like Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, free agent acquisition Patrick Corbin. The one glaring issue has been the bullpen this season but it's not like the team hasn't attempted to address this issue several times this season. It just takes for it all to click at the right time and....the rest is history so to speak. This team has made strides to get to the playoffs and don't think they want it to end early. We saw that Vs the Brewers and their come from behind victory 4-3.

Check out the highlights of the #NationalsVsBrewers NL Wild Card game.
Videos courtesy : MLB Network TBS Network
Editing, Graphics & Music by: #CPIII

     We've seen this team make the playoffs with so called stacked "Super Teams"  but weren't able to get it done in the postseason and discussed why a team so talented not being able to get it done when it counts. One of the same issues the Capitals had before they put it all together and finally won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Just like that Capitals faced adversity throughout that memorable season, but at the end of the day it helped them reach their ultimate goal. I feel this team is going through the same transition of potential of being a champion and actually being a champion. I'm gonna point out a couple of things that gives me this feeling and you can judge for yourself. This team has shown that they don't quit and I haven't seen this much fight in a Nationals team since I've been watching this team. The fact they are only the 9th team in MLB history to be under .500 by 10 games or more to make the playoffs says volumes about the fight in this team.

     The injury bug hit this team so bad I thought it was the Redskins for a minute, but through all that this team stayed together and found a way to win. When Mad Max went on the IL but the team still found a way to keep winning was a great thing to see, Stephen Strasburg had the best season of his career in wins, strikeouts, staying healthy plus being one of the most consistent pitchers in the league. This season is a breakout season for him, we've known he has the talent to be one of the best but the fact that we see it and it's not just potential is a beautiful thing. Patrick Corbin also added a quality left hander to the rotation after the trade of Gio Gonzalez last season and has been said to have been the best acquisition in free agency. Joe Ross, Anibal Sanchez, Erik Fedde, Jeremy Hellickson & Austin Voth stepped up and showed they can elevate their game as a starter when needed. The bullpen is still an issue but with these starters pitching the way they have....hopefully it doesn't come down to extended bullpen situations, because if it does.....that could be the only thing that holds this team back. The additions of Daniel Hudson, Fernando Rodney and improved health of Sean Doolittle has me confident that the bullpen will be able to rise to the ocassion

These were Strasburg's numbers before the All Star break and his
numbers for the season were 18-6 3.32 ERA with 251 K's 56 BB's

  The  development of the young talent on this team is another good sign. Juan Soto, Victor Robles & Trea Turner has really sparked this club. Trea with the longest on base streak of his career, Robles gaining patience at the plate and plenty of quality outfield defense, Soto breaking records at the age of 20 and other young players getting a opportunity and making the best of it. The biggest example is the 4-3 victory in the Wild Card game. The Nats were down to their last 4 outs in their season and Juan Soto comes to the plate with bases loaded in the bottom of the 8th and answers the call with a 2 run RBI double to put them ahead for good and advance to the NLDS. All season this team has battled no matter what adversity they faced. You also have to give manager Davey Martinez credit for the way he's handled this team, pitching staff & all the other everyday duties of a MLB manager. I haven't been a big fan of his but I always give credit where credit is due. There's some talk of MLB Manager of the Year but let's see how this postseason run goes. I'm loving the fight, want and will to win from this team. We haven't seen that from a Nationals team in recent history and I can't wait to see what this team can do against the Dodgers and hopefully advance to the NLCS.

  Make sure you tune in to SportsOTHP each and every Monday night from 7pm - 9pm est on Tru Radio Network LLC and come out to Martini's Restaurant & Lounge for #NFLGameday on Sunday, Monday & Thursday.