If Dusty Baker needs any pointers on how to finish off a season with his team sitting on a gargantuan lead in September, he should consult the manager for the Washington Nationals' most likely opponent in the first round of the playoffs. Baker and the Nationals did their part Sunday, beating the Philadelphia Phillies to become the first MLB team to clinch a playoff spot this season. With a 20-game lead in the National League East, they can focus on getting healthy and mixing in some rest in preparation for the NL Division Series. At the moment that opponent is shaping up to be the Chicago Cubs, who hold a tenuous 2.5-game lead over Milwaukee in the NL Central. read more http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/page/pennant914/the-dangers-having-play-september
