Washington Nationals
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The first season without Bryce Harper, the Washington Nationals knock off the Houston Astros in seven games to win the 2019 World Series.

  • Washington Nationals 6 (4-3)
  • Houston Astros 2 (3-4)
  • 2019 World Series, Game 7, Final, Box Score
  • Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX

Without Bryce Harper, who accidentally called his former team’s shot during his introductory presser with the Philadelphia Phillies last offseason, the Washington Nationals captured their first World Series and the city’s first since 1924 when Walter Johnson graced the mound as a grizzled vet.

https://twitter.com/WickedTake/status/1189748728648871937

They simply refused to die.

Trailing 2-0 after six innings of play, on the road (again), the Nats put up a three-spot in the seventh inning en route to a 6-2 victory that capped off a tremendous October.

Zack Greinke, who took the opening ball and pitched tremendously, gave up a solo shot to Anthony Rendon.

Then, the man who did it earlier in the playoffs, Howie Kendrick, smoked a two-run home run against reliever Will Harris.

Greinke finished with a line of two earned runs allowed on two hits and two walks. He struck out three Nats in 6.1 innings of work. Harris took the loss in this championship-deciding contest.

Of course, the Nats weren’t done. Impressive rookie Juan Soto singled in Adam Eaton an inning later, increasing the margin to 4-2. Roberto Osuna found himself on the other end after A.J. Hinch called his number early, in the seventh which, eventually spilled over to the eighth.

In the top of the ninth, Eaton put an exclamation point on things with a two-run single.

Both Soto and Kendrick finished with a team-high two hits. For Houston, Yuri Gurriel starting things for the home park with a solo shot off Washington starter Max Scherzer in the second inning.

A Carlos Correa RBI single in the fifth helped Houston to a 2-0 lead.

Nats’ southpaw Patrick Corbin picked up the victory. His three scoreless innings in relief of Scherzer helped turn the tide. Closer Daniel Hudson picked up the save.

Of course, these aren’t your average baseball players. Oftentimes resembling the 1996 New York Yankees for their fight and never-say-die attitude, they once again overcame a deficit and delivered when things became tightest.

Every game in the series was won by the road club. For the first time in American major sports history, every road team won the first six games. Now, with the Game 7 capper, that trend has gone the distance.

Five times these Nats faced elimination in the postseason. All five times they trailed in the game. All five times they came out victorious.

Stephen Strasburg was named World Series MVP. The dominant righty won both of his starts.

The 2019 Washington Nationals, the very same club that was getting beat over the head by the New York Mets early in the season, are World Series champs.


Robby Sabo is a co-founder, CEO and credentialed New York Jets content creator for Jets X-Factor - Jet X, which includes Sabo's Sessions (in-depth film breakdowns) and Sabo with the Jets. Host: Underdog Jets Podcast with Wayne Chrebet and Sabo Radio. Member: Pro Football Writers of America. Coach: Port Jervis (NY) High School. Washed up strong safety and 400M runner. SEO: XL Media. Founder: Elite Sports NY - ESNY (Sold in 2020). SEO: XL Media. Email: robby.sabo[at]jetsxfactor.com