The Nationals’ end-of-the-season stroll through September was expected to be smoother than this. A little work on pitcher alignment here, maybe taking some joy in the third National League East division title of the last five years there. The road to the post-season wasn’t supposed to be pockmarked with uncertainty about several key players and some punch-to-the-face news about one of their All-Stars.
But that’s where the Nationals find themselves after learning Tuesday that catcher Wilson Ramos is out for the year because of a torn ACL in his right knee.
The 29-year-old was having his best season.