Red Hot Nationals Pulling Away in N.L. East Race

The Washington Nationals are the hottest team in the National League right now, and after beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 August 20th, they now have the best record in the league at 72-53. The Nationals are starting to pull away from the second place Atlanta Braves, who are now seven games back in the N.L. East race.

The victory was the ninth straight for the Nationals, and four of their last five wins came in their last at bat. That includes the August 2oth game, where Anthony Rendon was enjoying a rare night off from playing third base when he was called on to pinch hit in the bottom of the ninth. Rendon drove in the winning run with this base hit:

After winning the East with a league leading 98-64 record in 2012, the Nationals were a big disappointment in 2013 finishing 86-76 and missing the post season. About 40 miles up the road (or Amtrak line if you want to avoid the traffic) in Baltimore, the Orioles are building a lead in the American League East, which sets up the possibility of a Washington—Baltimore World Series. We’re not sure how Fox Sports would like that matchup in terms of TV ratings, but we would guess the people in the mid Atlantic states would like it.