The Nationals are World Series champions.
Washington looked down and out a few times during the playoffs, including when they were behind 3-2 to the Astros after losing three straight in the nation's capital. But the road team won each game of the series, including Wednesday's Game 7 in Houston.
AJ Hinch is getting a bit of criticism following the loss for his managing of the bullpen. Gerrit Cole was available to make an appearance in relief, but the ace never got into the game.
"Boomer and Gio" began their show Thursday morning on WFAN by talking about the thrilling conclusion to the World Series. Much of the discussion centered on Cole.
"It just looks really, really bad," said Gregg Giannotti. "When you go to the bullpen and you end up having Will Harris come out of there as opposed to Gerrit Cole, who has been the most dominant pitcher we have seen in a long time. So, I think that Gerrit Cole could have handled that."
Zack Greinke started the game and went six scoreless innings before encountering trouble in the seventh. He gave up a solo home run to Anthony Rendon, and then walked Juan Soto.
Greinke was pulled, but not for Cole, who was available out of the bullpen. Harris came in and promptly allowed a homer to Howie Kendrick, which gave the Nationals a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Cole will become a free agent this offseason, meaning he will likely be pitching for a new team next year. Boomer Esiason thinks signing Cole would significantly boost the Yankees chances of being champions in 2020.
"If they sign Gerrit Cole and give him like $250 million, they might be the odds-on favorite to take the World Series next year."
The pursuit of Cole is shaping up to be one of the biggest storylines of this coming offseason. Whichever team signs him will be getting an ace coming off the most dominant season of their career.
Gio is expecting Cole to leave the Astros, and possibly head for the Bronx.
"And he's gone. He's going somewhere else. It's either going to be the Dodgers, the Angels or the Yankees. It doesn't seem like, at least from all the reporting down there, the Astros where they are with their payroll and the like. It's not going to probably happen for them."
Click the audio player above to listen to the full open from Thursday's "Boomer And Gio" show.
