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5 reasons the Nationals finally get past the NLDS

By Joshua Sadlock

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 30: Starting pitcher Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park on September 30, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 30: Starting pitcher Max Scherzer #31 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park on September 30, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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Will the fourth time be the charm as the Washington Nationals try and get past the NLDS?

Despite spending close to a billion dollars over the past five years and making the playoffs three times, the Washington Nationals have only five postseason wins to their name and three straight losses in the NLDS. The franchise is still seeking its first playoff series win as they get set to take on the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs in the 2017 NLDS. It may be now or never for the Nationals as Bryce Harper’s free agency looms after next season.

The Nationals were hardly challenged en route to another NL East crown. They won 97 games and had the division sewed up by the end of April. There were no other winning teams in the division, and the Nationals beat up on their rivals. With one of the best offenses in baseball and a deep starting rotation, the regular season was a formality for Washington this year.

Bryce Harper bounced back from a lackluster 2016 season but was also joined at the elite production level by former All-Star Ryan Zimmerman who stayed healthy and delivered the best year of his career with a new focus on his swing and launch angle. The resurgence of this pair made things even easier for Daniel Murphy and Anthony Rendon.

The rotation was once again buoyed by Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, both Cy Young candidates, but got a shot in the arm with a solid season from Gio Gonzalez. This the best one through three in the playoffs — in either league. The Nationals even got their bullpen figured out by trading for Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson, and Brandon Kintzler.

Washington heads into the NLDS as the favorite over the Cubs, who had a World Series hangover for most of the year. If they do not get out of the NLDS this year, it would be the most disappointing loss of the bunch. The Nationals have to win this year, and here are five reasons why their string of playoff losses will finally come to an end.

ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 20: Michael Taylor #3 of the Washington Nationals drives in a run during the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on September 20, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 20: Michael Taylor #3 of the Washington Nationals drives in a run during the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park on September 20, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /

5. Deep bench ready to contribute

Injuries to Adam Eaton, Jayson Werth, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper forced the Nationals to lean on their role players for long stretches of the regular season. Fill-ins like Michael A. Taylor, Wilmer Difo, Brian Goodwin, Adam Lind and Howie Kendrick did not disappoint. The Nationals will not lack options to pinch hit in late innings or play defensive replacement in a tight game.

Taylor was the most impressive of the bunch, finally establishing himself as a full-time starter at the MLB level after showing tantalizing promise for years. The center fielder stepped up when Eaton went down and hit .271/.320/.486 with 19 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 118 games. Goodwin and Kendrick also provided solid outfield options off the bench. Lind is the instant offense, with 14 doubles and 14 home runs in only 267 at-bats. There will be no drop in production for the Nationals when Dusty Baker goes to his bench in the late innings.

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