No Pennants in D.C.
Numbers crunchers say "Wait 'til next year!"
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It looks like these will be the only kinds of flags Nats fans will be waving.
As the second half of the baseball season begins, fans of good teams start looking ahead, wondering what needs to happen for their beloved teams. Pennant fever and the range of possibilities tantalize and excite.
Then there's D.C.
Some number crunchers have Exceled their hearts out and proved what we've long suspected: there won't be any October baseball in Washington or Baltimore this year.
The Nats and the O's are just two of six teams that have zero -- count it: zippo -- chance of making the playoffs. Even if everything breaks right, it ain't happenin', kids.
So that money you were saving up to use on playoff tickets? Might as well burn it. It's worthless.
How'd those masterminds come up with the figures? Basically, they computed the odds of each team winning a certain number of games. In the Nats' case, the odds of them winning 90? Zero.
They removed their shoes and socks, then factored all these separate odds together giving an overall number. That's good news if you're a Dodgers fan. Given their divisional competition, the huge lead they have, and what reasonable expectations are, they're a lock for the playoffs. (Unless Bill Plashke finally snaps and does something ugly.)
Conversely, given their huge hole, their expected level of play, and the teams they're up against, neither the Nats or Orioles will be digging themselves out of the basement.
The numbers crunches think that 74 wins is about the best the O's will do. For the Nats, 59 wins looks like the target -- which would clinch the No. 1 overall draft pick for them. Again.
It's been a long summer for both cities already. And if these predictions hold to form, it'll be a long fall, too. As it's been for so many falls. Go Skins!
Chris Needham used to write Capitol Punishment. It's been all downhill since Khalil's Grand Slam.
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