The wait is over. For the first time in franchise history, the Washington Nationals can call themselves World Champions. In a thrilling series of seven games, the Nationals defeated the Houston Astros.

After an incredible postseason culminating in its victory in the American League Championships, Houston was expected to “run away” with the series. The Astros had the most complete team in the MLB with very few flaws. With a starting rotation led by Pitcher Justin Verlander, who had been pitching at his best during the postseason, it was widely thought that the Nationals’ lineup would be overpowered by Houston’s pitching. However, in the first two games of the series, Washington overpowered Houston. In these games, Washington scored a combined 17 runs, allowing them to take a commanding 2-0 series lead before they had even played at their home stadium. 

Houston silenced the thunderous D.C crowd in Games 3 through 5 by winning all three. Houston’s pitching staff was brilliant in these games, letting through only one run in each of the three games. Houston’s lineup also found success, thanks to clutch performances by Michael Brantley (Game 3), Alex Bregman (Game 4), and Yordan Alvarez (Game 5). Having to win only one more game in their home ballpark, it was Houston’s series to win.

Game 6 ended up being “all Nationals.” A lights-out pitching performance by Stephen Strausburg, who pitched 8.1 innings and gave up only 2 runs, and a 5-RBI game by Nationals Third Baseman Anthony Rendon, extended the series to Game 7. The final game started as a classic pitchers duel between Nationals Pitcher Max Scherzer and Astros Pitcher Zack Greinke, who both crushed the opposing team’s lineup. The Astros took an early 2-0 lead with RBI’s from Yuri Gurriel and Carlos Correa. When the Astros turned to their bullpen in the top of the 7th, the Nationals lineup came to life. A solo home run by Anthony Rendon and a go-ahead two-run home run by Right Fielder Howie Kendrick was all the offense the Nationals needed. The Nationals would go onto win the game 6-2, and be crowned World Champions for the first time ever. After his remarkable performance, Pitcher Stephen Strausburg would be named MVP of the series.