The Washington Nationals are a load of fun. That’s been the sentiments of followers of the team on this amazing run that has seen them go 84-40 since May 24. They play the game with excitement that may not have been seen in quite some time in Major League Baseball.
As many of 14.2 million fans were introduced to the Nationals’ 20-year phenom in what has been described as “Game Juan” of the World Series. Juan Soto went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs off Houston Astros ace Gerrit Cole, as the Nationals grabbed the first game of the series 5-4.
His batting stance, clutch of his crouch, and the facial expressions of just about every pitch is a welcoming energy, that the unwritten rules of baseball have frowned on for decades. Soto grabbed the hearts of baseball fans Tuesday night.
But the Nationals have shared the glory as they crept from a 19-31 start on the season all the way to the World Series. And they are not about to change that in the grandest stage.
Game 2 was more of a collective effort. Every player in the Nationals’ lineup reached base. Every player except Ryan Zimmerman scored a run. And every player except Victor Robles had a hit in a 12-3 rout that featured 10 runs scored over the final three innings.
With each of their three home runs, the baseball world got to see their lovable river dance celebrations that they have done all season long. Then everyone fell in love with Adam Eaton and Howie Kendrick car celebration following a two-run homer by Eaton in the eighth.
They’ve rode the “Baby Shark” anthem through the second half of the season all the way to the World Series.
They have dished out hugs of gratitude and appreciation among each other. Their on-field play has fueled off their entertaining antics.
Centered around the arguably the best Big Three starting pitchers in MLB and an energetic mixture of veterans and youth, the Nationals have been the best team in baseball since May 24, and they’ve had fun in the process.
The New York Yankees may be baseball’s “America’s Team,” however the Nationals are becoming the “Most Lovable.”
Fans love red-hot, and the Nationals are indeed red-hot. They’ve won 18 of their last 20 games, dating back to the final two week of the regular season. They’re 6-1 on the road this postseason, winning six in a row, including games 1 and 2 of both the NLCS and World Series.
Washington has won eight straight games since they fell behind 2-1 in the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. They’re smoking, and baseball is falling in love with them every step of the way.
Now the Nats will carry a 2-0 series lead back to Nationals Park looking to finish off the Astros much like they did against the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS.
