Uncustomed Heroes of 2019: Nationals

I wonder how future sports historians are gonna talk about this World Series, and this Nationals team. I personally thought it was a fun underdog story, and one of the better heroes and villains matchups of the decade, as well as catharsis for lots of veterans who deserved a ring. I'm still pretty happy it happened, I guess, even if it was at the expense of my Phillies.

Stephen Strasburg I already did a custom of this year, but I made another one because he had an awesome season and deserved more than one.

 Brian Dozier was signed by the Nationals before the season to be the primary second baseman. Unfortunately, Dozier's bat had calmed down completely since leaving Minnesota, and while he notched 20 homers in Washington this year, he also only had 50 RBIs, and struck out 105 times.
Why Him in 2019?: By September, he'd lost enough goodwill that the starting gig belonged to Howie Kendrick, leaving him open to make some huge postseason memories.
2020 Prediction: Will hit 15 homers from the bench.

 I'm glad the Nats were open to a reunion with Matt Adams after he spent the first half of 2018 valiantly covering for Ryan Zimmerman. He was so good at it in 2018 that he did it again this year, though, like Dozier, with diminishing returns; Adams led the team in strikeouts with 115, and only hit 20 homers as well.
Why Him in 2019?: Had a hit in his only at bat of the NLCS
2020 Prediction: Will be signed as a backup, but will still get some prime power-hitting done.

 Gerardo Parra had a weird year. He began the season tanking in San Francisco, was cut, landed in Washington and took some reps at 1st for the first time in a while. Over the course of the season he'd grow a sharp fan following, admirably gaining the nickname 'Baby Shark', and hitting .250 with 42 RBIs off the bench.
Why Him in 2019?: Also went 1.000 in his only NLCS at bat.
2020 Prediction: Will take his charisma to another continent.

Perhaps the most heartwarming part of this Nats win is the realization that Fernando Rodney, 13 years after pitching in a World Series with Detroit, finally won a ring at the age of 42. Granted, his season wasn't the most steady, as he was cut by the A's, and pitched a 4.02 ERA with 15 earned runs in 38 innings, but...he still got to pitch in a World Series and win this time.
Why Him in 2019?: Notched 5 more postseason strikeouts in a Nats uniform.
2020 Prediction: Probably retirement.

Coming Tomorrow- The Orioles. Thankfully I don't have many.

NL Wild Card: The Archie Bradley Show

Man, when I made this custom I had no idea how relevant it would be. Pitcher with a bat. And then tonight he smokes one into the outfield for a triple.

Archie Bradley, Zack Greinke, Paul Goldschmidt, Fernando Rodney and the whole gang proved that I'd known for months, that they were playoff ready, and that they're more than capable of squaring off against the Dodgers later this week. Well done everybody.

As for the unlucky losers...

Great season for the Rockies, especially considering how far they've come in the last few years, but sadly they fall short again. Hopefully they can hang onto this team and make a run out of it.

Tomorrow...the Division Series' begin.

Not Exactly What You'd Call Ready to Rock

(This custom has been waiting in the bin since May 28th. About time.)

So...while the NL West has been a race between the Dodgers and Giants, and right now the Dodgers are far ahead of the Giants...we have to remember that there are still two other teams in that division, and not all of them are terrible.

I mean...two of them are. Yeah. As you were, San Diego and Arizona. Nono, I want to talk about the Rockies, because aside from their pitching, which is hard to keep in good condition in a homer-heavy ballpark like Coors Field, they're not in the worst place.

If nobody leaves after the season, this is a pretty solid lineup. The infield is Mark Reynolds, DJ LeMahieu, Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado. Reynolds is injured right now, but hopefully the Rockies will get him back next season, as he's been pretty nice so far. The outfield WAS Gerardo Parra, Carlos Gonzalez and Charlie Blackmon...but then David Dahl came along and started hitting like it was his job. So, there's even some depth if there if CarGo leaves in the offseason, or if they keep CarGo and git rid of Parra or something.

People are hitting, and if it weren't for some structural problems, the Rockies would be a lot better off. But the important thing is that the foundation for a good team is there...they just have to rework it a little.

Coming Tonight- Our monthly reminder that the Rays still exist this year.

Uncustomed Heroes of 2015: Orioles

It's looking like the Orioles may be headed back to being a middle-of-the-road team, and that's pretty sad, because there's a ton of talent in that roster, a lot of fight, too. I really hope they can at least do something next season.

Zach Britton is still one of the toughest closers in baseball, though, and I love how far he's come.

Jonathan Schoop had a less-productive but still awesome sophomore season at 2nd base, proving he can play the position consistently, and giving O's fans hope for life after Brian Roberts.

Caleb Joseph, in Matt Wieters' absence, was the main catcher in Baltimore this year, and he definitely did not disappoint, hitting well, playing nice defensive ball, and saddling Wieters to a backup role after his return (basically).

Ubaldo Jimenez came off a notoriously terrible 2014 to become one of the top arms for the Orioles, pitching big games and taking the place of Chris Tillman as the reliable veteran. Hopefully he'll keep it up.

Steve Pearce took an everyday outfield position, and didn't disappoint, playing well, hitting well, and probably going back to a starting job next year.

Gerardo Parra was a midseason trade that DEFINITELY worked out for the O's, as Parra broke big in a way he hasn't in a while, and even dwarfed his stats with the Brewers earlier this year.

Coming Tomorrow- Well...at least the Padres tried.