5 reasons to believe the Nationals could win it all after Game 2

5 reasons to believe in the Nationals after Game 1

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 22: Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle (63) and Washington Nationals center fielder Victor Robles (16) celebrate closing out Game 1 of the World Series between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday, October 22, 2019. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

3. The odds are on their side

Winning Game 1 of a World Series (or any championship series in that matter) is very important.

Yes, it’s just one game out of a potential seven, and the loser will always have a chance to redeem themselves in the following game. However, the winner of Game 1 will be in the driver’s seat, and for the Nationals, it was doubly important for the team to take Game 1 in Houston.

Historically, the team that wins Game 1 of the World Series has gone on to win the whole thing 63 percent of the time. Those odds have come to fruition in the past 16 years, as 13-of-the-last-16 Game 1 winners has gone on the hoist the Pennant.

So Astros fans have great reason to be concerned here. The Astros were a league-best 65-and-23 at home this season and have lost only once this postseason at Minute Maid Park. Now, the Astros could be facing the prospect of dropping their first two games in their home domain, which would send Astros fans into a panic.

The Nationals have history and the odds on their side, especially if they can win Game 2. Does that mean the Nationals are instant favorites? No, but baseball history has a funny way of constantly manifesting itself, just like it has done the past 16 years. If it happens again, Washington will be on the right side of that baseball history.

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