The Nationals aren’t the Mets.
Nor are they the Giants, Phillies or Padres — the other softies the Marlins used to vault themselves into playoff contention these past two weeks.
No, the first-place Nationals can play a little, and Monday they put the Marlins in their place with an 11-2 mauling that marked Miami’s worst loss since a 10-1 loss to — yes, the Nationals — on Aug. 9.
The Marlins picked a poor time to take on the division leaders.
The Nationals activated pitcher Max Scherzer and outfielder Jayson Werth from the disabled list, just in time for the series opener, and both did damage.