Good Morning, Washington Nationals Fans.

Here are the latest headlines and analysis around the Washington Nationals and Major League Baseball for today, Thursday, October 31, 2024.

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Leading today's Morning Briefing: And the Winner of the 2024 World Series is...

Color me surprised that a team with a combined payroll of $241 million and employing the two highest-paid players in Major League Baseball won this year's 2024 World Series. Yes, they should win (more on that later in the year), but here is a quick recap of last night's game for now.

Last night in the Bronx, the Los Angeles Dodgers won Game 5 of the 120th World Series, 7-6, clinching their eighth World Championship.

The Dodgers rallied for five runs in the fifth inning, marking Los Angeles’ most in a single inning of the Fall Classic since they scored five runs in the ninth inning of Game 4 in the 2017 World Series against Houston.

The Dodgers rallied back with two runs in the eighth inning as Gavin Lux and Mookie Betts hit a pair of sacrifice flies to tie the game and take the lead, respectively. Per Elias, the Dodgers rallied back from a 5-0 hole tonight, marking the largest comeback in a World Series-clinching game. Previously the record was held by Pittsburgh, who came back from four runs behind to win Game 7 of the 1925 Fall Classic.

After Kiké Hernández hit a leadoff single to break up Gerrit Cole’s no-hit bid, Tommy Edman reached base as Aaron Judge dropped a line drive in center field. Will Smith reached one batter later as Anthony Volpe made a throwing error, trying to get the force out at third base. With no outs and the bases loaded, Cole dug in and struck out Gavin Lux and Shohei Ohtani in back-to-back at-bats. With two outs, Mookie Betts knocked an RBI single to first base to end Cole’s shutout, followed by a two-run single from Freddie Freeman and a game-tying two-run double from Teoscar Hernández.

Walker Buehler, who earned the win in Game 3, became the second pitcher in World Series history to earn the win as a starter in a game and tally the save in the series-clinching victory.

MVP! MVP! MVP! 

Freddie Freeman was unanimously named Willie Mays World Series MVP after batting .300 (6-for-20) with four homers, 12 RBI, a triple, two walks, five runs scored, a .364 on-base percentage, and a 1.000 slugging percentage. Freeman’s 12 RBI in the World Series are tied for the most in a single World Series with Bobby Richardson (12 RBI in 1960).

Former Washington Nationals Pitcher Daniel Hudson Retires

After the Dodgers won the World Series, former Washington Nationals closer and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Daniel Hudson announced his retirement from baseball. “This was the only reason I came back – to go out on top... And that’s what’s happening," Hudson said to MLB.com.

After appearing in 25 games for the Dodgers in 2022 but just three in 2023, Hudson signed a Minor League deal to return to the club. 

Hudson, who pitched for seven Major League teams, spent the most time with the Diamondbacks (2010-16). He began his career as a starter but transitioned to the bullpen, eventually playing a key role in the Washington Nationals’ 2019 World Series victory over the Astros.

Hudson, who underwent Tommy John surgeries in 2012 and again in 2013, wrapped up his 15-year MLB tenure with a 65-45 record, the 2011 National League Silver Slugger Award at pitcher, and a 3.74 career ERA. And, of course, one more World Series ring.

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