NLDS Schedule 2012: Despite Top Record, Format Puts Nationals at Disadvantage

So much for finishing in first place.

After busting their tails for the past six months of the regular season, one that resulted in not only the division crown in the National League East but in the team being named the top overall seed in the National League playoffs, what's the reward that the Nationals get?

They get to spend this weekend traveling to either Atlanta or St. Louis.

While this is a temporary change, and the division series will return to the typical format where the first two games (and Game 5 if necessary) are played at the No. 1 seed's ballpark, that does nothing to help the Nationals in 2012.

Location doesn't seem to matter to the Nationals as they had virtually the same record on the road (48-33) as they did at home (50-31), and chances are that they'd play on the moon if Bud Selig said that's where the games were going to be held.

The Braves are in a similar boat, having gone 46-35 on the road and 48-33 at home, including a three-game sweep of the Nationals in the middle of September.

For the Cardinals, it's clear that the Redbirds are much more comfortable at home (50-31) than outside of the comfy confines of Busch Stadium (38-43). They lost three of the four games that they played against the Nationals in Washington, but took two of three when they met in St. Louis.

In a short series, momentum is everything, and the Wild Card teams will be riding a big wave of it, a wave that leads right to their backyard, one that's packed to the brim with their fans who will no doubt be more fired up for the game than the players themselves.

Emotions will be running high, and with both Wild Card teams having more success against the Nationals at home than in Nationals' Park, the advantage is theirs.

That's simply not right.

So while those without a dog in the fight choose to cheer for the underdog, you should be cheering for Gio Gonzalez, Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman.

For in the major leagues, being the best during the regular season comes with a penalty in the postseason.

NLDS Schedule (via MLB.com)

Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants

Game 1: at San Francisco, Saturday, Oct. 6, 9:30 p.m. ET

Game 2: at San Francisco, Sunday, Oct.7, time TBA

Game 3: at Cincinnati, Tuesday, Oct. 9, time TBA

Game 4 (if needed): at Cincinnati, Wednesday, Oct. 10, time TBA

Game 5 (if needed): at Cincinnati, Thursday, Oct. 11, time TBA

Washington Nationals vs. NL Wild Card Winner

Game 1: at Wild Card, Sunday, Oct. 7, time TBA

Game 2: at Wild Card, Monday, Oct. 8, time TBA

Game 3: at Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 10, time TBA

Game 4 (if needed): at Washington, Thiursday, Oct. 11, time TBA

Game 5 (if needed) at Washington, Friday, Oct. 12, time TBA