Wire Taps: Washington Nationals clinch... now what? Nats’ postseason roster, plans...

Clinching the NL East a couple hours after the end of Sunday’s finale with the Phillies made for an odd celebration. A day off after clinching gave everyone a chance to catch their breath. Now it’s back to the grind. Atlanta’s Braves, who did their part to help the Nationals out on Sunday, are in the nation’s capital for the start of a three-game set... and then the LA Dodgers are in town.

Catch up on the last 24 hours in Nationals news before the start of tonight’s game:

NATS BEAT:

Nationals clinched NL East in a building three-quarters full — or one quarter empty
"A stadium that was more than three-quarters full, or one that was a nearly a quarter empty. Maybe how you describe it reveals part of your personality."

With division title clinched, Nats focus on health
"The Nationals clinched their fourth division title in the past six seasons on Sunday night and now have three and a half weeks before their first 2017 playoff game commences."

The Nats clinched, the Redskins lost and Post Sports’ front page responded
"This was just a strange confluence: the Nationals being incredibly strong, the NL East being incredibly weak, the magic date happening to come during an afternoon game, at home, on a Sunday, etc."

So You’ve Clinched the NL East: Now What?
"But the looming question remains: What do you do now? You’ve secured your postseason spot, but you still have three long weeks before the season ends."

Nationals-Braves series preview: Washington still in hunt for home-field advantage
"A month ago, the thought of the Nationals catching the Dodgers in the race for best record in baseball was preposterous."

Tuesday morning Nats Q&A
"It was different, and maybe an actual clinch on the field in front of 32,000 fans would have been more exciting, but I’ll probably remember this one more now than I would have if it had been done in conventional fashion."

Ask Boswell: Redskins, Nationals and Washington sports
Dusty's contract?: Boswell: "Badly handled by the Lerners on this one. Looks like they are saying, "Beat the Cubs in the first round to come back in '18."

Matt Albers has been 'find of the year' for Washington Nationals
"One question sprang to Dusty Baker’s mind when he first laid eyes on Matt Albers in February."

Fourth division title in six years was no small achievement
"Yes, everybody hangs banners to commemorate division titles. But who really remembers or celebrates those in the long term?"

Victor Robles makes first start, could be on Nationals playoff roster
"Three days after making his debut at 20 years and 111 days old to become the youngest player to appear in a major league game this season, Robles, Washington’s consensus top prospect, made his first career start Sunday."

Will Bryce Harper be healthy for postseason?
"The health of Bryce Harper will be perhaps the biggest question surrounding the Nationals during the next few weeks heading into the postseason."

NATIONAL(S) BEAT:

How the Nationals Lost Their Superstars and Still Won the NL East
"Doolittle, playing in the other league and on the other coast, learned that he was supposed to save the season when he faced the Washington media for the first time."

Rumors And Rumblings | Nationals Still Have Doubters
“They’ve had the talent to win it all for quite a few years now but they’ve had one heartbreak after another in the postseason,” a scout from an NL team said."

Meet Luiz Gohara, the Braves’ hard-throwing gentle giant
"Luiz Gohara has heard your C.C. Sabathia comparisons. In fact, he endorses them."

Hard to believe this Cubs offense will be ready for prime time
"Just listen to manager Joe Maddon, who sounded like he was running out of ideas after watching his team score three runs total while the Brewers pulled off a three-game sweep over the weekend..."

Batting Against Josh Hader Seems Terrible
"Murphy remains one of the premier bat-to-ball hitters in either league. With two down and the bases empty, Hader went to work."