Stephanie: The Mets are in last place for the first time since 2003. The Nationals just won their division. And we have the full breakdown of how this season ended.
Sean: It’s a wild finish to the 2026 MLB season. Washington goes from fourth to first in the NL East, while New York collapses under the weight of expectations.
Sean: Hey there. It’s good to be back.
Stephanie: We’ve got three big things for you today. First, we’ll look at the divisional race and how the Mets’ collapse handed the title to Washington. Second, we’ll talk about the silver linings for non-playoff teams like the Nats. And third, we’ll discuss what these results mean for the roster battles we talked about last week.
Sean: Right. We mentioned Brady House and Jorbit Vivas yesterday. Today, we see how the team’s performance impacts those internal dynamics heading into spring training.
Stephanie: Let’s dive right in. The headline: Washington finishes 77-85 but wins the NL East. New York finishes 74-87 and hits rock bottom.
Sean: It feels surreal, doesn’t it? A sub-.500 record winning a division. But looking at the final series against the Mets, it was clear where the momentum shifted.
Stephanie: Andrés Chaparro was huge. He homered twice in the season finale, lifting the Nats to a 6-4 win over New York. That sealed the deal, essentially.
Sean: Chaparro’s power display wasn’t an isolated incident. Over that three-game sweep, Washington outscored New York 19-13. The offense finally clicked when it mattered most.
Stephanie: But let’s not forget the bullpen. Josiah Gray earned his first major league save in Friday’s 7-6 victory. It was his first home appearance in more than two years.
Sean: That’s a massive moment for Gray. To close out a game that high-leverage situation, especially with the Mets threatening late, shows how much trust the coaching staff has built in him.
Stephanie: Meanwhile, the Mets had their own struggles. Ronny Mauricio went deep from both sides of the plate in Saturday’s loss, but it wasn’t enough. They couldn’t overcome the deficit.
Sean: Mauricio’s multi-homer game was impressive individually, but defensively and offensively, New York was inconsistent all year. Their high spending didn’t translate to consistency.
Stephanie: And on a darker note, we have to address the suspensions. Francisco Rivero and Raudi Perez were suspended for 56 games each for positive drug tests.
Sean: That’s a heavy blow to the minor league system. Rivero was a catcher prospect, and Perez a pitcher. It removes depth from the pipeline as they look toward 2027.
Stephanie: So, with the division clinched, what’s next for Washington? Let’s talk about how they stack up against their rivals now that the dust has settled.
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Sean: Thanks for listening. Now, let’s look at the bigger picture. The NL East is wide open. Philadelphia and Atlanta had strong seasons, but Washington proved they can compete with anyone.
Stephanie: It’s interesting because earlier in the year, we had projections around 85 wins. Finishing 77-85 and winning the division is a testament to the strength of the division.
Sean: Exactly. The Mets’ collapse was historic. Their first last-place finish since 2003 speaks volumes about their organizational struggles. For Washington, it’s a validation of the rebuild.
Stephanie: And the pitching. Jake Irvin and Josiah Gray were anchors. We saw Gray’s versatility in the bullpen, which adds value for next season.
Sean: Irvin’s stability was crucial too. Along with Cade Cavalli and Clayton Beeter, the rotation provided enough innings to keep them in games. The bullpen depth we discussed last week paid dividends.
Stephanie: What about the young hitters? CJ Abrams stayed healthy, which was a key prediction we made earlier. How did he impact the season?
Sean: Abrams was vital. His speed and plate discipline set the tone for the lineup. When he’s on the field, the offense flows better. Our prediction about 90 wins in 2027 if he stays healthy still holds water.
Stephanie: And James Wood? Dylan Crews? The outfield competition looks fierce for 2027.
Sean: Wood’s power and Crews’ contact ability make them dangerous. Daylen Lile and Andrew Pinckney will also push for spots. It’s going to be a crowded outfield, which is a good problem to have.
Stephanie: So, third base remains the question. Brady House vs. Jorbit Vivas. Who do you see starting in April?
Sean: I’m sticking with my previous take. Vivas offers more consistent contact, which fits the lineup needs. House has the power, but Vivas might give the team a higher floor early in the season.
Stephanie: Interesting. So Vivas gets the edge based on recent trends? We’ll see how camp plays out.
Sean: For now, yes. The organization seems to favor contact hitting in the middle of the order. Vivas provides that reliability.
Stephanie: Alright, let’s shift gears. What do these outside results mean for the Nationals’ path forward?
Sean: Well, the rest of the league took notice. Teams like Houston and Arizona had their stars shine—Yordan Alvarez and Gabriel Moreno won batting titles. Jacob Misiorowski led the majors in ERA, Ks, and opponents' batting average.
Stephanie: Misiorowski is a standout. Fourth pitcher since 1950 to achieve that triple crown of stats. It highlights how elite pitching is defining the modern game.
Sean: For Washington, it means they need to maintain their pitching development. The ABS challenge system showed how critical catcher-batter interactions are. Keibert Ruiz and Harry Ford need to leverage that data.
Stephanie: Silver linings for non-playoff teams. Despite missing October, Washington has core pieces in place. Chaparro, Abrams, Gray, Irvin. The foundation is solid.
Sean: Absolutely. The suspension of Rivero and Perez is a setback, but it opens doors for other prospects. It’s a reminder that depth matters. You never know who will step up.
Stephanie: So, predictions for 2027? We’ve thrown around 85, 88, 90 wins. Where does this land?
Sean: I’m going with 88 wins. It’s a realistic jump from 77, assuming health and continuity. Vivas starts at third, Gray stays in the rotation, and the bullpen remains deep.
Stephanie: And they won’t make the playoffs? Still?
Sean: Not yet. The division is tough. Phillies and Braves are still favorites. But Washington is firmly in the conversation. Next year could be different.
Stephanie: Fair point. One step at a time. From last place to first in the NL East. What a turnaround.
Stephanie: That’s it for today! The Nationals win the division, the Mets sink, and we look ahead to 2027. Thanks for listening. Please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with a fellow Nats fan!
Sean: Go Birds! See you tomorrow.
Stephanie: Beatline out!