The 2026 MLB postseason is in full swing...
... but players on eliminated teams still had the final regular season games to prove themselves.
Some nights, like the Washington Nationals’ 7-6 win over their division rival, the New York Mets, show how quickly low-stakes matchups can turn into thrillers.
January (right) and Rich (left), two residents who cheer for the Nats and Mets respectively, were lucky to see one of September’s most exciting games. Daniel Borges, a program coordinator at Gabriel Homes, planned to go to Nationals Park with Rich. Despite seeing the Nats as rivals, Rich still likes to watch several games in person each season. Daniel was out with January when he learned she also loved baseball. He asked Rich if she could tag along, and before long, all three were on the Metro to D.C.
The Rest Is History
The Mets took an early lead with a run in the first inning. After the Nats responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning, the Mets never pulled ahead again. January, energized by the crowd, was on her feet dancing nearly the entire game, but she never rubbed the lead in Rich’s face.
“You always want your team to win! The past several years haven’t been too good for the Mets or Nats, so we don’t take the rivalry too seriously.”
The Nats closed their season on a winning note with a 2-1 series victory over the Mets.
“It was a perfect fall night for a ball game,” said Daniel. “We met some kind people at the ballpark, had great food and drinks, and had fun going out as a group.”