With a rough start to the season — going 19-31 and looking nothing like a playoff team — the Washington Nationals rallied for what will go down as one of the most improbable postseason runs in league history as the team came-from-behind to beat the Houston Astros and win the 2019 World Series.
The Nationals had to overcome a number of setbacks, including losing Bryce Harper — arguably the best player in franchise history — to free agency. Yet despite everything, the team managed to go 5-0 in elimination games, won 8 consecutive road games, and won the World Series despite not winning a game at home against the Astros.
It was the first time in World Series history that the road team has won all seven games. The Nationals also tied the New York Yankees after recording its eighth consecutive road victory in the postseason.
Washington Nationals Defeat Houston Astros To Win 2019 World Series
Washington pitcher Stephen Strasburg was named the 2019 World Series Most Valuable Player. The 6-foot-5 right-handed pitcher allowed just four runs, three walks and had 14 strikeouts in 14 innings for the Nationals. He also became the first pitcher to finish the postseason with a 5-0 record.
Washington was 10-0 in games started by Max Scherzer & Stephen Strasburg during the playoffs, the best team record in games started by any duo in a single postseason in MLB history.
Here’s all the best reactions after the win:
FINISHED THE FIGHT.
The @Nationals are #WorldSeries CHAMPS. pic.twitter.com/lCS6r9Y0Da
— MLB (@MLB) October 31, 2019
The Nationals are the 2nd team in MLB history to win the World Series after being at least 12 games below .500 during the regular season (1914 Braves).
They are also the 1st team in MLB history to win 3 winner-take-all games in a single postseason. pic.twitter.com/Y9lCONbLQR
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 31, 2019
There’s no place like the road. #CHAMPS pic.twitter.com/kyTY6Orja7
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 31, 2019
Max Scherzer is in tears. He’s crying. Nobody puts more into this than he does. And nobody deserves this more.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) October 31, 2019
Congrats @Nationals CHAMPIONS #DCFAMILY way to #REPTHEDISTRICT‼️‼️?????? https://t.co/rkFnWXWSMI
— John Wall (@JohnWall) October 31, 2019
Well, whaddya know? A Jedi! Congratulations @Nationals and @whatwouldDOOdo. The Force is strong with you! https://t.co/1kYb9xXBm6
— Star Wars (@starwars) October 31, 2019
Bryce Harper watching the Washington Nationals win the World Series pic.twitter.com/f4KaeG9q3s
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) October 31, 2019
Howie Kendrick just hit an 0-1 pitch inside out, down the right field line, and off the foul pole. And the Nationals…are ahead, 3-2, in the seventh. I got nothing.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) October 31, 2019
I proclaim Howie Kendrick DC’s first superhero.#FINISHTHEFIGHT, @Nationals! https://t.co/oubBagCqeW
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) October 31, 2019
The Nationals lose Bryce Harper and they win the World Series. Baseball.
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) October 31, 2019
I called Bryce Harper’s phone…
… But there was NO RING.
— DC (@DanClarkSports) October 31, 2019
Bryce Harper be like……..#WashingtonNationals #WorldSeriesChamps pic.twitter.com/wJtdEx0Gyn
— Ezequiel (@GenerationJSIN) October 31, 2019
Bryce Harper seeing his former team win a championship without him but remembering his bank account pic.twitter.com/5wHg9GnM7R
— I'M SEEING GHOSTS (@FTBeard11) October 31, 2019
Howie Kendrick is a hero with heart. I did a cancer benefit and my friend Howie was a great supporter. His heart’s come through this baseball season. He came to see us on @BowieTour for rehearsal & concert. He was so supportive. I congratulate him tonight – a role model of HOPE! pic.twitter.com/I1M9jSB5vF
— Mike Garson (@mikegarson) October 31, 2019
Congratulations to the Washington Nationals on a great season and an incredible World Series. Game 7 was amazing! @Nationals
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 31, 2019
Congrats on the championship @Nationals. I’m so pumped for you guys! Enjoy everything around a championship. DC fans, you truly get what you have deserved for a long time!!!!!
— Nicklas Backstrom (@backstrom19) October 31, 2019
Congrats to the @Nationals. Cardiac kids — even if they’re one of the older teams in baseball. Soto is something special. And now that I’ve gotten that out the way, Hinch blew the damn game. You don’t have Greinke pitching that way and replace him with anyone but Gerrit Cole.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) October 31, 2019
CONGRATS TO THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS. MOST DIFFICULT ROAD TO A WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP IN BASEBALL HISTORY.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) October 31, 2019
Congrats to the @nationals! Such an incredible story for baseball. A truly resilient team. The Brewers, Dodgers and Astros just couldn’t put ‘em way. #RoadWarriors #Champs
— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) October 31, 2019
What a series. What a season. @Nationals #FINISHEDTHEFIGHT!!! #WorldSeries
— Katie Ledecky (@katieledecky) October 31, 2019
Congratulations to the @nationals on their incredible #WorldSeries2019 !!!! So proud of my hometown team-I remember when they were the Washington Senators…but don’t remember when the team won the World Series in 1924! ⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) October 31, 2019
The Wizards' arena erupted when it was announced the Nationals took the lead in the #WorldSeries
Sports are awesome ? (via @NBCSNationals)pic.twitter.com/t3MNKKjvAS
— ESPN (@espn) October 31, 2019
Slow-Mo reaction shots to the last out of the World Series pic.twitter.com/Ue42418QU3
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) October 31, 2019
The Nationals defeat the Astros 6-2 in Game 7 to win their 1st World Series in franchise history.
Washington was 10-0 in games started by Max Scherzer & Stephen Strasburg during the playoffs, the best team record in games started by any duo in a single postseason in MLB history. pic.twitter.com/Bmja8c422q
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 31, 2019
The @Nationals got that bubbly.
they got that bubbly.
THEY GOT THAT BUBBLY.
THEY GOT THAT BUBBLY. pic.twitter.com/Nx2H2XtPiV
— Cut4 (@Cut4) October 31, 2019
An early look at the front page: "At last, Nats are champs"https://t.co/MnG82kNoXY pic.twitter.com/UeUECzRO4k
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) October 31, 2019
No team in @MLB history had ever trailed in 4 elimination games in a single #Postseason and come back to win them all.
The 2019 #WorldSeries champion Washington Nationals did it 5 times. pic.twitter.com/sdZojp7omf
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) October 31, 2019
