Four Washington Nationals teams remain alive in our best Nationals team tournament. Which two will score a ticket to the finals?
Through four series in our Washington Nationals tournament, the best team won each series. Now we’re down to the final four Nats teams, and it’s time to trim the field to two.
If this is the first article in this series you’re reading, remember to check out our introduction and follow from the beginning. You’ll meet the teams involved and see how we got down to the four teams in the semifinals.
The 2012 Nats swept the 2006 team, and the 2016 and 2017 Nationals each won in five games. Even the number six seed 2011 Nats deserved their win, winning by an average of 3.5 runs per game.
While some people may prefer upsets, it’s great to see the top teams advance. In the NCAA tournament, upsets are fun, but most people want to watch the Villanova’s and Kansas’ of the country in a dogfight for the National Championship.
In our tournament, it’s no different. The teams from 2012, 2016, and 2017 are all loaded with talent and have legitimate chances at the title. The 2011 Nats, while a big underdog, proved themselves in the quarterfinals. Do they have enough left in the tank to pull off another upset?
We’re about to find out, but the first matchup is between the 2012 and 2016 Nationals. Pitching leads both teams. Both include Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez, but the 2012 Nats have prime Jordan Zimmermann while the 2016 Nats have Mad Max Scherzer.
In the second semifinal, the 2011 Nats take on the 2017 Nats in a matchup of teams with the big bats. The 2017 Nats can single and double teams to death with the likes of Antony Rendon, Daniel Murphy, and Trea Turner.
On the other hand, the 2011 Nats have unlimited power, with Michael Morse, Danny Espinosa, and Jayson Werth as threats to go deep against any pitcher. Now, let’s see how these matchups play out!