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Nationals Reaction: Something Special Is Happening In D.C.

By Matt Holleran

Aug 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (40) celebrates after hitting a solo home run off San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) (not pictured) during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated San Francisco Giants 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (40) celebrates after hitting a solo home run off San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) (not pictured) during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated San Francisco Giants 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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In the standings and in the long scheme of things, the Nationals’ win over the Giants yesterday showed again they are the National League’s best team.

On Sunday afternoon, the Nationals had to go up against arguably the best pitcher in baseball this season Madison Bumgarner, and things did not start off well. The Nationals were held scoreless until Wilson Ramos launched a huge solo shot in the bottom of the seventh inning, giving the Nats the 1-0 lead. Shawn Kelly and Mark Melancon came in, and both pitched scoreless innings to shut the door on the Giants.

I believe yesterday’s game showed why the Nationals are not the same team they were in 2012 or 2014 when they lost in the NLDS. Something very memorable is going on in our Nation’s Capital this season.

Too many times in previous seasons, we have seen the Nationals not come through in games like yesterday. They would get great starting pitching from their starters, but the offense would go ice cold and give them no run support, particularly  in the playoffs.

But this Nationals team is different. Whether it is Wilson Ramos like it was Sunday, or Daniel Murphy, who has came through in the clutch all season long, the Nats are starting to show up when the lights are brightest. This team has a much different attitude than the teams in the past  and they seem to come up big in pressure situations.

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Melancon adds another element the Nationals teams in the past did not have. A lights out closer. He is a fearless competitor and showed one again Sunday that he has as good stuff as any closer in all of Major League Baseball. He has been dominant in his few appearances with the team so far, and I believe he will only get better as the season enters the playoff push.

Sunday’s win was a big one because it gives the Nationals the tiebreaker with the Giants for home field advantage, if they finish with the same record at season’s end.

It is easy to get caught up in the emotions of one game, but I really believe the Nationals showed again Sunday why they are going to accomplish something extraordinary this year. They are now tied for a season best 21 games over .500 at 66-45 and they earned a huge series win over a team they may possibly match up in the playoffs with.

The Nationals have also played extremely well this season, without their best player having a season we all know he is capable of. Bryce Harper has not been himself since late May and the Nats still hold a seven game lead in the division as well as the second best record in all of baseball. If Harper gets hot again, and I believe he will very soon, the Nats will only be even harder to beat.

Next: Win Over Giants Reminder Of Potential

All things are clicking for the Nationals right now, and they are not even fully healthy yet. Returns of Joe Ross, Stephen Drew, and Ryan Zimmerman will only strengthen the lineup and rotation and make the Nats an even deeper team heading into the postseason.

Whether you believe they are a true World Series contender or not, this Nationals team certainly has a special feeling to it, and it is even different than it was in 2012 or 2014. I truly believe they are poised for a deep playoff run, and have a feeling something very “special” will be coming back to D.C. in late October.

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