That was a catastrophe, wasn’t it?
The good news: Bryce Harper always starts hot. He will not continue playing this way (or maybe he will, and he’ll win an MVP, in which case, good for him for deviating from his career mean).
The bad news: everything—literally everything—about last night was bad for the Nationals.
The bullpen is in shambles. Trea Turner is out and we’re stuck with Wilmer Difo. Matt Adams is probably hurt.
So, here’s what’s new on N street:
The souring of a star: On fate, fairy tales and what must be the Nats’ next act (The Athletic)
The Nationals are wildly different now than they would be if they had retained Harper, who was frustrating, annoying, and mind-bogglingly good all at once.