MLB: Power Ranking the Top Ten Major League Bullpens

Apr 21, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Wade Davis (17) celebrates with catcher Erik Kratz (19) after the game against the Minnesota Twins at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won the game 6-5. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 21, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher Drew Storen (22) pitches during the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Nationals Park. Washington Nationals defeated St. Louis Cardinals 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington Nationals. 3. player. 90. . 1st. NL East

The Washington Nationals have one of the best bullpens in the Major League Baseball, but they use a different formula than many of the other top units.

Closer Drew Storen was brilliant last season with a 1.12 ERA with 11 saves in 56.1 innings and so far this season, he has a 3.00 ERA with four saves in six games. Storen blew his first save of the year Tuesday night against the St. Louis Cardinals (which brought nightmarish flashbacks for Nats fans). Luckily, Washington still won the game, and it shouldn’t be a big deal in the long term.

In addition to Storen, Washington relies on perhaps the best sixth starter in Major League history, Tanner Roark, a solid if unspectacular group of relievers in Blake Treinen, Aaron Barrett, and veteran lefty Matt Thornton. Thornton is coming off the best year of his career (1-3, 1.75 ERA in 64 appearances) and hasn’t allowed a run in his first seven games this year.

As a unit, the Nationals bullpen has a 2.27 ERA in 39.2 innings, which ranks fifth in the Majors.

One of the most important things to consider is that the Washington bullpen should be one of the freshest in the Major Leagues thanks to their unbelievably talented starting rotation. Therefore, the Nationals should be able to limit some of the ups and downs that come with fatigue and overuse out of the ‘pen.

Next: St. Louis Cardinals

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