5 teams that should sign Craig Kimbrel

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox delivers during the ninth inning of game four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 27, 2018 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA MAY 28: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) throws a pitch during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals on May 28th, 2019 at SunTrust Park in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Washington Nationals

How can a team with Max Scherzer, Steven Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin lose so many games? With starters not always going deep in games, bullpens are being counted on to throw in big, stressful innings.

For the Washington Nationals, the bullpen is one reason why their team sits in fourth place in the NL East with a 23-32 record.

Coming into Tuesday’s action, the Washington Nationals MLB-worst 7.12 bullpen earned-run average has contributed to a disappointing start in D.C. Sean Doolittle has been Washington’s lone bright spot, picking up 10 saves.

Several notable relievers have cost the Nats big games. Kyle Barraclough has a 5.48 ERA in 21.1 innings. Trevor Rosenthal’s season has been filled with nine walks, resulting in a 36.00 ERA in just three innings of work. Matt Grace has a 7.54 ERA. Tony Sipp has a 6.30 ERA. Joe Ross has a 9.22 ERA.

Kimbrel’s presence would give the Nats a dominant and reliable option to close out games.

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