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The Washington Nationals own manager has said that they need to win out to have a chance in the National League wildcard race. They haven’t done that but being who they are, the Nats and their fans still seem to think they have a chance if they can just sweep the Miami Marlins and win most every other game after that. Well, no one asked the Marlins what they thought about that. As it turns out they didn’t care too much for being swept. Jose Fernandez nearly pitched a no-hitter as they shutout the Nationals, effectively ending their playoff chances for the fourth or fifth time.
It is easy to feel the Nationals’ pain because who hasn’t hurt as they watched their team out of the race for the playoffs but not mathematically out of it? Oh they are seven games out with 20 to play so they can do it easily if they just win. It is hard but that is what is so great about where the Marlins are. They are already eliminated from the division race and won’t be long for the wildcard race. They know they aren’t winning this year so they proceed to show everyone what they’ll be dealing with next year.
The Nationals and everyone else might as well take notes on this Marlins team because they are not going away. They’ll be better next season with one of the best young pitching staffs in the game. The only thing that will need to come along better will be their offense which can take more time to develop and get everyone in their best places to succeed. These wins like the one on Friday night show what the Marlins are capable of now and give just a glimpse into what they might be doing a lot more of in 2014.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
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