You mention about hoping that the Reds don't get hot again. I'm wondering if the Reds DO get hot again and win home field advantage for the NL playoffs, it will almost be as if the Nats are thrown into Brer Rabbit's briar patch. Then it would be the Reds sitting around waiting to see if they have to travel to Pittsburgh or Atlanta for the first round of the playoffs while the Nats can make plans to go to SF. This year, it's almost a DISadvantage to have HFA.
I kinda agree with this and I'm not sure it's just a this year thing. Seems like it will be quite common to rather face the 3rd division winner than a WC team (even with the WC team having to blow an ace)