The Nationals
Season Record: (45-36)
Ranking: first place in the National League East.
Quite possibly home to the best pitching staff in baseball, the Nationals have looked solid up to this point thanks to two players: Bryce Harper and Max Scherzer.
Right fielder Harper has basically been doing everything the Nationals wanted out of their former first-round pick. Halfway through the season, the all-star has been hitting .344 at the plate and has sent 25 balls out of the park. Not only has Harper’s popularity gone up since his arrival to D.C. in 2012, but he is only 22 years old. At this age, Harper received the most votes for the 2015 All-Star Game in Cincinnati with more than 13 million votes submitted by fans online.
And now for the Nats ace Max Scherzer. I mean, what else can you say about this guy other than total dominance? The Nats got him from the Detroit Tigers in the offseason and what a deal it turned out to be; everyone knew he would be good coming into the nation’s capital, but not this good. Scherzer already has a no-hitter under his belt this season. He would’ve had a perfect game if it had not been for a controversial Pirate’s player who leaned into a close pitch for a 2-out hit-by-pitch in the ninth inning of Scherzer’s perfect game. Furthermore, Scherzer has a 9-6 record with three complete games, 139 strikeouts, and two shutouts.
If these guys continue their power performances, they will lead the Nats for a high seed in the playoffs and hopefully bring home their first World Series title.
The Orioles
Season Record: (43-39)
Ranking: Second place in American League East.
It has been an up and down season for the Baltimore Orioles thus far. They have had to battle through many injuries and a lack of stellar pitching with their ace Chris Tillman not having a great season so far, and their all-star catcher Matt Wieters being hurt for most of the first half of the season. They also lost two key players from their lineup last season, long time Oriole Nick Markakis and big bat Nelson Cruz, who both parted ways with Baltimore last offseason. Despite these troubles, the Orioles only find themselves one game back of the New York Yankees for first place in their talented division. A big part of that has been because of third baseman Manny Machado and first base/right fielder Chris “Crush” Davis.
After being injured for most of last season, Machado has had a big comeback year, hitting .302 with 17 dingers and making every spectacular play you could imagine at third base. He presumably should get an all-star spot this year with his play at the corner and becoming one of the best leadoff hitters in the MLB.
As for Chris Davis, he has not been the automatic home run guy he has been in the past, but that doesn’t mean he has not had a great year, and is still a constant home run threat. Davis has 18 home runs on the year with a .236 batting average and he has been filling in at first base and right field this season after Nick Markakis’ departure from Baltimore. Davis has been fulfilling another role this year other than hitting home runs.
The way I see it, if the Orioles stay healthy, they will win their division and get a high seed in the playoffs as well. After all you never want to count out a team who has the American League manager of the year on their team in Buck Showalter.
