Nationals 2041 season update: The Nationals have claimed the commissioners trophy for the third time in franchise history
I'm not gonna lie, I lost my sh*t a couple days ago in here after suffering my 4th or 5th consecutive NLDS defeat in 4 games (didn't help having to watch Tampa Bay win 4 World Series' in a row, one of which having been my last time making it past the DS) after 2039 I was fully under the impression that this team was probably headed for a soft rebuild or retool as we just didn't have the offensive output in the playoffs that we always had during the regular season.
But, I "studied" the Rays and it just became clear that they were so dominant because they assembled one of the most potent starting rotations possible that kept them competitive year after year, so I did the same, I already had 3 good starters but I spent 2 years acquiring ace caliber guys from other teams and trying them out and unfortunately it just hadn't paid off in the postseason. But I managed to get Robby Cronin for 1 good prospect and 2 minor league washouts, found Johnny Verbeek, a dutch SP who found his way into the FA pool in the middle of 2039 and he turned into a potent long man once he no longer had any value as a starter by this season. There were many more acquisitions on the pitching side in addition to several drafted and international prospects who finally broke out.
Gabe Gaeckle
But the real X-factor for more than a decade and especially these last 3 years has been the elder statesman of the team. After 2038 I was unsure if it would be smart to pay him $28 Million well into his late 30s to keep him in Washington, suffice to say the OG has elevated into star level status and been more than worth the money spent. Prior to the postseason, he ended up on IL with a hamstring strain that kept him out of MLB action from the end of July to the end of the regular season; he made his return in NLCS game 4, we were down 3-1 versus the LA Dodgers and it looked like yet another disappointing season was inevitable. But, he turned in the start that the team needed so badly, giving us 5 innings scattering 4 ERs and giving the offense an opportunity to comeback and seal the victory to stave off elimination and eventually claim the series.
NLDS MVP went to unsung hero and rookie, Corey Lyons, who blasted 2 homers and 7 RBIs after being thrust into the lineup as the starting 2B after our SS and 2B were both injured coming into the postseason.
The NLCS was won in large part thanks to INF/OF Franklin Coss, who bashed 3 dingers and drove in 8 RBIs and scored 9 runs of his own throughout the series. But not to forget the midseason acquisition, SP Wally Meek who turned in 11 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 3 BBs, 16 Ks across two NLCS performances including the decisive game 7 (6 shutout innings!!!)
Also obviously gotta spotlight the workhorse and homegrown talent, the man, the myth, the legend, Brian Lidstone who was the dictionary definition of dominant throughout the entire postseason logging a 1.91 ERA across 28.1 innings and punching out 31 batters including 2 stellar World Series performances holding the Astros offense to a SINGLE run in 13 innings.
World Series MVP was bestowed to third year OF Kyle Branam who put up 3 homers and 7 RBIs while slashing .300/.391/.750 across 20 ABs including the deciding 2-run homer in the 7th inning to win game six 4-2, and claim the chip.
Team Records and stat milestones:
As it stands, Gabe Gaeckle is the current franchise leader in Wins (158) and Strikeouts (2,234)
Dean Britz is the franchise leader in homers (329) at the age of 30 and 117 days
Active:
Trevor Condon is the current team leader in Hits (1,711) Doubles (335), Triples (65), Runs (1,171), SBs (452) and WAR (69.6)
Dean Britz in addition to homers, leads in RBIs (1,065), SLG (.568), OPS (.949), OPS+ (155)
Gabe Gaeckle leads the way in, opponent AVG (.238), WHIP (1.15), K/9 (9.3), and WAR (51.0)
Brian Lidstone leads in, HR allowed (67), ERA (3.33), ERA+ (128), and FIP (3.03)
David Elza leads the pen in, Innings (887.0), Holds (153), Strikeouts (1,262), ERA (2.59), opponent AVG (.209), WHIP (1.04), FIP (2.45), and WAR (28.0)
Former Ace Sean Duncan has had a premature decline in health and performance and has been relegated to a bulk relief role when healthy :(