The 2019 Washington Nationals really are like a reluctant child in learn-to-swim courses. They just maintain potable water.
Each single time you feel they may be poised to make a move about the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves, the Nats shrivel up and let the opportunity escape them.
The Nationals now sit 6.5 games behind the Braves. Washington is awarded +600 chances to overtake Atlanta in the NL Divisional odds.
*Opportunities accepted on 08/12/19.
Washington is only five games behind Atlanta in the loss column and still two up on the surging New York Mets.
Just past the midway mark of July, Washington took two of four games in the Braves in Atlanta. The Nats followed up by winning three of four from the Colorado Rockies. They’d moved to within four games of the Braves.
This, though, isn’t a team that embraces opportunity or prosperity.
Since that time, Washington has dropped four of five series. That comprised falling twice during a three-game home place against the Braves.
They finished a nine-game road trip Sunday with a win over the New York Mets in Citi Field to complete the journey with their heads barely above water. Washington went 5-4 about the excursion.
The Nationals are a mediocre 15-13 since the All-Star Break. They are not exactly charging the Braves.
The Detroit Tigers would be the American League version of this Nationals not so long ago. Like Washington, they boasted a stunning starting rotation. Heck, one newcomer — Max Scherzer — was part of both rotations.
Between 2006-14, Detroit made the playoffs five times and played in two World Series, but never came close to winning it all, because the Tigers didn’t bother to put money into a bullpen.
Sound familiar, Washington fans?
In Friday’s opener of this large three-game series from the Mets, Washington nearer Sean Doolittle coughed a 6-3 lead at the ninth and had been walked 7-6. Ahead of Friday, the Mets had lost 187 consecutive games when three runs in the ninth inning.
Washington owns an MLB-worst 6.07 bullpen ERA. Even if you should discard the dreadful 22.74 ERA of this departed Trevor Rosenthal, the Nats will still own an MLB-bottom 5.63 ERA. Nationals relievers have discounted 22 of 52 rescue opportunities.
Even men who earn their pay covering the national disgrace that resides within DC at the White House recognize that the Washington bullpen is a Nationals disgrace.
Holding the initial NL Wild Card spot, the Nationals start a significant six-game homestand Monday against the Cincinnati Reds. That is followed by three games with the Milwaukee Brewers, such as the Reds a team from the Wild Card hunt.
This must be Washington’s focus. The old baseball adage is that you will need a week’s worth of games to compensate for one game in the standings. The Nats are 6.5 games outside with seven weeks to perform with, so their division-winning window is closing quickly.
They have seven games left by Atlanta but could practically should go at least 5-2 in that stretch to have any chance. The Nationals play 17 of their last 45 games against Wild Card teams, 19 games against current playoff clubs and just 15 against teams using sub-.500 records.
The smartest movement for Washington is forget about the division and lock on bending down the Wild Card.
Let’s have fun and keep it civil.
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