Last week, I examined every former Washington Nationals player currently in the postseason with other clubs. One of those names, a former trade deadline steal in Lane Thomas, already made himself an instant legend in Cleveland Guardians history in yesterday's Game 1 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
The Guardians, who won the American League Central division with a 92-29 record, found themselves matched up with the upset-minded Kansas City Royals, who defeated our Beltway rival Baltimore Orioles with a 2-game sweep in the Wild Card Round.
Their biggest trade deadline acquisition came in the form of Lane Thomas, a beloved National throughout the course of our rebuild, in exchange for infielder José Tena, lefty prospect Alex Clemmey, and shortstop prospect Rafael Ramirez Jr.
Despite getting off to a slow start with Cleveland after being traded, Thomas ended the regular season on a hot streak, and carried his momentum into the beginning of the Guardians' playoff run. On Saturday, he drew the start in center field, batting 5th in the order, and wasted no time making his presence felt in his first postseason at-bat. Thomas unloaded on a first pitch slider from Tigers starter Reese Olson, and sent Progressive Field into a frenzy with a 3-run homer sent deep into the left field seats.
LANE THOMAS THREE-RUN BLAST 🚀 pic.twitter.com/PMgBFt9vVa
— MLB (@MLB) October 5, 2024
The blast from Thomas gave the Guardians a 5-0 lead in the first inning, which was all that the Guardians would need as they cruised to a 7-0 Game 1 victory. Us here at District on Deck will continue to root for Thomas and many of the former Nats to perform well as they move through the postseason (not all as I can't bring myself to pull for the Phillies or Mets).
While José Tena provided some fun moments in his first bit of extended MLB action with the Nationals, it is certainly great to see Lane Thomas having some early success in the playoffs. Us Nats fans had grown to love the Lane Train, who was once acquired for the corpse of Jon Lester, but deep down I think everyone knew he was not going to be a long-term fit with the club.
Due to the presence of James Wood, Jacob Young, Dylan Crews, and other top outfield prospects who are slated to find their way to DC in the coming years, it was no surprise that Mike Rizzo pulled the trigger once he finally got a deal that made sense to move him.
Which former Nat do you want to succeed the most in the postseason? As always, please let me know on X, @DCBerk.