Postseason baseball is officially back, starting with a bang in the NL Wild Card game. For seven innings, the Nationals had nothing to cheer about. Their home fans looked on as they watched their team falter again at the beginning of the postseason. Then, the magic happened.
Josh Hader loaded the bases with two outs for 20-year-old Juan Soto, and he delivered with a line drive to right field. The hit would have scored two regardless, but a misplay on the ball allowed three to cross the plate, giving the Nationals a 4-3 lead heading into the ninth. Daniel Hudson advanced Washington to the NLDS with a near-perfect save. He surrendered one single up the middle before retiring the final two Milwaukee batters.
The only effect it has on the Braves is the start time of their Game 1 contest scheduled for Thursday. With the Nationals surviving, Game 1 will take place at SunTrust Park at 5:02 P.M. Eastern Time. Game 2 will begin at 4:37 P.M. on Friday.
Dallas Keuchel will take the mound to open the series against Miles Mikolas from the Cardinals.