Fansided

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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NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 23: Sean Doolittle #62 of the Washington Nationals in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 23, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Nationals defeated the Mets 4-3 in ten innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 23: Sean Doolittle #62 of the Washington Nationals in action against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 23, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Nationals defeated the Mets 4-3 in ten innings. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

4. Overhauled bullpen

The Nationals bullpen was keeping the burning dumpster meme in business for the first three months of the season. Without an established closer, the relievers were good for at least one collapse a week. Try as they might, the Nationals front office was not able to hand out $75 million last winter to Mark Melancon, Kenley Jansen or Aroldis Chapman, leaving them to try and make it work with Blake Treinen, Joe Blanton and Oliver Perez.

My, how things have changed. Mike Rizzo put in some work at the trade deadline and landed Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson and Brandon Kintzler. Throw in solid veteran Matt Albers, and the Nationals have a very strong bullpen on their hands.

Madson was the best of the trio, pitching to a 1.37 ERA in 19.2 innings with 28 strikeouts. Doolittle was just as good, striking out 31 in 30 innings and giving up only two home runs. The unheralded Kintzler came over from the Minnesota Twins and slid into a middle-relief role with ease. He isn’t a flashy strikeout guy but consistently gets weak contact.

The bullpen did the Nationals in during past postseason collapses, but Rizzo may finally have the right pieces out waiting to come on in relief. With a starting rotation capable of going deep, Dusty Baker won’t have to lean on his bullpen to do too much in the playoffs.

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