To be honest, I didn't pay much attention to the Washington Nationals during the regular season — I was busy investing my hopes and dreams into my emotionally manipulative hometown team, the Seattle Mariners. Then again, in my defense, the Nats started the year 19-31, 10 places out of first in the National League East, apparently intent on challenging the Detroit Tigers for the distinction of being the worst team in baseball. By the time the Nationals got to the wild card game in September — having gone a subsequent 74-38 in the regular season, and challenging the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros for the distinction of being the best team in baseball — I was wallowing in full-on "my team won't be good until 2048" despair.