One rather interesting variable is that the Nats' player's, to a man, seem to feel like they are playing with house money at this point. They finished with the best record in baseball. No matter what happens in the post-season, this season will ALWAYS be seen as a stunning success.
A little off-topic tidbit for you. On Aug. 29th, mired in a 5 game losing skid, Davey Johnson calls a team meeting. After that meeting, the Nats go 21-13 to finish, and during that last stretch of 34 games, arguably the best offensive player in baseball has been their 19 year old CF. The last 34 games Bryce Harper hit .341, slugged .699 with 10 HRS and led all MLB in runs, extra base hits, and OPS (1.106). Not to mention that a kid that two years ago was a catcher this year turned into one of the best CFers in baseball. We can check 'clutch down the stretch' off the list of questions about Harper.
Truth: I don't care which team the Nats get in the division series. I think I prefer Atlanta. They aren't as good as StL offensively. StL can get hot and hurt the Nats outstanding pitching, whereas I think the Braves will struggle to score runs. But the Braves have better pitching, especially since Medlin and Lohse will likely be used in the WC game.
Would I like an I-95 DC-Balt. series? Meh, I once wished that B-more not have success while Angelos is still the owner, so I'll say 'No'. Love to see the Nats and Oakland. What many don't realize is that one of the reasons for the As success is that Nats. The trade for Gio Gonzalez last year brought the As a number of the essential components that have led them to this point.
And yes, I'd be remiss in adding that, while the Nats have been a remarkable story this year, and hopefully will continue to be, and the Orioles have been surprising, stunning, both pale compared to the Oakland As winning the AL West over big-$$$ powerhouses Texas and LAA. Astounding.
Prediction: Rangers over Reds in 7
My award winners:
AL MVP - Cabrera: Although Trout was truly more 'valuable', being a tremendous CF as well as the best baserunner in MLB, I can't in good conscience pass on the first Triple Crown winner in 45 years as MVP. Also, Cabrera's Tigers will play on, and he was torrid and instrumental in that.
AL CY - Price: Verlander is a force of nature, but Price led the AL in record and ERA while facing the highest OPP OPS of any of the top contenders for this award. With all due respect to Verlander's innings and Ks, Price faced the toughest lineups and pitched the best.
AL RoY - LOL
AL MoY - Tossup (Melvin): I was going to go for Showalter, and in fact have been pretty set on that, but now... damn... hard to pass on the guy who led the As to the AL West crown.
NL MVP - Posey: Interesting choice... in my mind, the best two candidates for this award both missed the playoffs(McCutchen and Braun), and it's close enough for that to matter. I found it very hard to give it to Posey when it isn't clear he even had the best season among post-season NL catchers this year (Molina of StL), yet Posey had less help, especially when Melky got busted.
NL CY - RA Dickey: Deserving... Cueto, Kershaw, Gio Gonzalez and others (Kimbrel, Chapman) had outstanding seasons, but Dickey earned this award all season. First knuckleballer ever to win a Cy Young.
NL RoY - Bryce Harper: Six weeks ago Bryce wasn't in my top 3, and accuse me of bias if you will, but for the way he finished the season and for becoming an outstanding CFer nearly overnight, Bryce would get my vote if'n I had one.
NL MoY - Davey Johnson: The Washington Nationals finished the regular season with the best record in baseball. 'Nuff said.
2013 MVP and CY - Harper and Strasburg... and I don't think I'm really going out on much of a limb, health provided.