The Washington Nationals’ 2016 season unfolded like a drama in multiple acts-a year defined not just by their 95-67 record, but by the unforgettable nights that shaped it. There were emotional comebacks, emphatic statement wins, and late-inning shocks that reminded the rest of the league that Washington was back on top of the National League East with authority.
While the box scores tell part of the story, the true impact of those games lives in the momentum swings, the narrative twists, and the way they helped the Nationals move from “bounce-back hopeful” to “clear favorite” in the division.
In this breakdown, FOX Sports begins its countdown by revisiting games 10 through 6 on the list of the Nationals’ top 10 games of 2016-matchups that showcased dominant pitching, clutch hitting, walk-off drama, and unexpected heroes who helped define a division title season.
Early-season statement wins that reestablished Nationals dominance
The first few weeks of 2016 were critical. After the frustration of 2015, Washington needed to prove immediately that it wasn’t just aiming to recover-it intended to control the NL East from the outset.
Led by a locked-in Bryce Harper, a scorching hot Daniel Murphy, and a starting rotation that attacked hitters relentlessly, the Nationals used April and May as a launching pad. Those months were full of “marker” games: series against division rivals where Washington not only won but dictated style and tempo.
Against New York, Philadelphia, and Atlanta, the Nationals showed they could win any kind of contest-high-scoring affairs, tight pitchers’ duels, or grind-it-out battles decided by one pivotal swing or defensive play. Every early “statement” victory rippled beyond the standings, shifting the perception around the league and inside the clubhouse. This was no longer a team searching for an identity; it was a group intent on reclaiming the division.
Key features of those early statement wins included:
- Dominant road performances that flipped the NL East conversation and silenced hostile crowds.
- Late-game rallies that showcased deeper lineup construction and improved on-base skills.
- Stabilized late innings from a more organized bullpen, reducing the “hold your breath” factor in the 7th, 8th, and 9th.
- Prime-time moments from Harper and Murphy in nationally spotlighted games, reinforcing their status as MVP-level threats.
Those themes often surfaced in specific types of games that quickly became familiar to Nationals fans:
| Game Type | Opponent | Signature Moment |
|---|---|---|
| Road Rally | Mets | Late-inning HR swings the opener and sets the tone for the series |
| Pitchers’ Duel | Phillies | Ace outduels a rival to lock down a sweep and send a division message |
| Power Surge | Braves | Multiple home runs from different hitters highlight how deep the lineup truly is |
Defining clutch moments: walk-offs and late-inning heroics
Throughout 2016, there were games where the Nationals seemed finished-only for the script to flip in a matter of pitches. Those nights did more than electrify Nationals Park; they reshaped the team’s identity.
In a season where Washington needed to prove that the collapse of 2015 was an outlier, the club repeatedly showed that no game was over until the final out. Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy were frequently in the middle of those turnarounds, but they were far from alone. Bench bats, role players, and relievers all had their moments in the spotlight.
Some of those victories hinged on a single, decisive moment-a walk-off plate appearance, a two-out knock with runners in scoring position, or a reliever stranding the tying run on base to keep hope alive. Others were built on slow, pressure-filled rallies where Washington chipped away at deficits inning by inning.
These contests reinforced several core elements of the Nationals’ 2016 resilience:
- Late-inning power from the middle of the lineup that could erase deficits in a single swing.
- Bench contributions from pinch-hitters stepping into high-leverage opportunities and delivering professional at-bats.
- Steady relief pitching that kept games within reach and extended contests into extra innings when necessary.
- Impact defense-especially in the 9th and extras-that protected one-run advantages or preserved ties.
A few of those games became shorthand among fans for exactly the kind of grit the 2016 Nationals discovered:
| Game | Opponent | Deciding Play | Inning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early May Thriller | Detroit Tigers | Harper walk-off walk after a grinding plate appearance | 9th |
| Summer Showdown | New York Mets | Murphy slices an RBI single to end it in extras | 10th |
| Division Statement | Miami Marlins | Pinch-hit home run flips the game and the series narrative | 8th |
| West Coast Rally | Los Angeles Dodgers | Go-ahead double punctuates a come-from-behind win on the road | 9th |
Those finishes embodied something that modern analytics increasingly back up: teams that consistently win close games often pair strong late-inning pitching with high-impact offense in the final three frames. In 2016, the Nationals frequently checked both boxes in their best wins.
Scherzer, Strasburg, and the bullpen: pitching clinics in big moments
Even in a lineup headlined by stars, there were many nights in 2016 when the story was written on the mound. Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg transformed regular-season matchups into exhibitions in command, movement, and velocity.
Scherzer’s precision at the top and bottom of the zone, paired with a deep pitch mix, routinely overpowered even the most dangerous offenses. Strasburg’s explosive fastball and sharp secondary pitches gave opponents little margin for error, especially early in games when he piled up strikeouts and quick innings.
Behind them, a retooled bullpen emerged as a stabilizing force. Where late innings had often felt uncertain in previous years, 2016 saw clearer roles and more effective execution. Setup relievers and closers worked in concert to convert slim leads into almost automatic victories.
Many of the season’s signature wins followed a familiar script:
- Scherzer punching out double-digit hitters while avoiding loud contact, effectively taking opposing sluggers out of the game.
- Strasburg leaning on a high-octane fastball and biting off-speed pitches to dominate the middle of the opposing order.
- Setup relievers bridging the gap from the 6th or 7th inning without traffic, shortening the game for the closer.
- Back-end closers converting tight, one- or two-run leads in environments that felt like October dress rehearsals.
The strengths of those arms could be distilled into a few defining traits:
| Pitcher | Key 2016 Trait | Impact in Big Wins |
|---|---|---|
| Scherzer | Elite strikeout rate | Neutralized opposing power hitters and prevented big innings |
| Strasburg | Explosive fastball | Controlled the early game tempo and built leads for the offense |
| Bullpen | Improved command and role clarity | Protected narrow margins and shut down late threats |
In an era where run prevention is as much about depth as star power, the 2016 Nationals often looked like a template: frontline aces, clearly defined bullpen roles, and enough strikeout ability to navigate high-leverage jams.
Strategic lessons and long-term momentum from the top games of 2016
Beyond the highlight reels and emotional finishes, these top games operated as live experiments in building a postseason-ready identity.
Manager Dusty Baker constantly tested combinations-mixing and matching relievers, shuffling lineups, and leaning into aggressive decision-making on the bases and in the field. The goal wasn’t only to win that night; it was to find a repeatable formula that would translate under playoff pressure.
Three themes consistently emerged:
- Bullpen leverage: Defined roles in the late innings, often stretching the closer or top setup arm for more than three outs when the moment demanded it.
- Lineup flexibility: Willingness to move proven hitters around the order to chase matchup advantages, especially against elite right-handed or left-handed starters.
- Run prevention focus: Smart defensive positioning and athletic outfield play that saved runs quietly but decisively.
- Situational offense: Emphasis on putting the ball in play, moving runners, and generating productive outs in one-run games.
Many of these themes can be tied directly to broader postseason principles that front offices and dugouts across MLB now prioritize: maximizing each marginal edge, especially in high-leverage pockets of the game.
| Key Focus | 2016 Game Trend | Playoff Implication |
|---|---|---|
| High-Leverage Relief | Closer and top arms used for 4+ out saves in key matchups | Prepares the staff for October-style usage where best relievers carry heavier loads |
| Matchup Lineups | Left/right platoons and matchup-based batting orders | Extracts incremental advantages against top-tier postseason pitching |
| Bench Impact | Frequent pinch-hitting and late-inning defensive substitutions | Underscores how critical a deep bench is in tight playoff contests |
Viewed in total, these games created a clear blueprint for the Nationals’ future playoff pushes. When Washington combined:
- Disciplined pitch selection and patient at-bats that drove up pitch counts,
- Compact swings with runners on base instead of swinging for the fences, and
- Assertive, well-planned bullpen deployment rather than rigid adherence to traditional roles,
they typically controlled the pace of the game and the pressure on the scoreboard.
Conversely, the rare nights where they faltered spotlighted recurring trouble spots: stretches of all-or-nothing offense, occasional defensive breakdowns, and periods when relief depth was tested. Those shortcomings offered the front office and coaching staff a roadmap for targeted adjustments-whether in roster construction, in-game strategy, or role definition.
Looking ahead: how these games shaped the Nationals’ identity
As the 2016 season played out, the games ranked 10 through 6 in FOX Sports’ countdown did more than fill out a highlight reel. They helped define the Nationals’ personality: a team built on frontline pitching, star-driven offense, and a growing belief that it could handle high-pressure moments.
Each contest showcased a different piece of that identity-whether it was a walk-off celebration under the lights, a suffocating start from Scherzer or Strasburg, or a tactical masterclass from the dugout.
But these games are only half the picture. The most dramatic, consequential showdowns of the Nationals’ 2016 campaign-the ones that carried the heaviest stakes and left the deepest imprint on the franchise’s modern history-still sit ahead in the ranking.
In the final installment of this series, FOX Sports will unveil games 5 through 1: the ultimate signature nights that not only defined Washington’s 2016 season, but also cemented its standing in the National League landscape.
