Nationals clinch 3rd NL East title in 5 years
One year after an underachieving season, the Washington Nationals are back on top of the National League East.
Their 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates combined with the New York Mets' 10-8 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies handed the Nationals their third division title in the past five years.
The Nationals had World Series aspirations in 2015 but missed the playoffs after finishing 83-79 despite Bryce Harper's MVP season. The result cost Matt Williams his job, as management opted to hire veteran manager Dusty Baker to help lead the team.
Related: Harper wears Ledecky swim cap during celebration
It's the third time in the Nationals' 12-year existence that they've reached the postseason, and they'll hope to get past the division series for the first time. Dating back to their days as the Montreal Expos, the organization has just four playoff appearances in 48 years.
The Nationals are all but assured to meet the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS, who they're 1-5 against this season.