Nationals’ Bullpen Woes Highlight Need for a True Closer

The Washington Nationals are facing a critical flaw that has been laid bare throughout this series: their inability to close out games. Time and again, Nationals pitchers entering the ninth inning have struggled, resembling fish out of water in high-pressure situations. With a staggering 23 blown saves this season, the Nationals stand alone at the bottom of the league, far surpassing any other team, which has blown a maximum of 16 saves.

Consider the implications of this statistic: if the Nationals had merely tied for the most blown saves, they could be comfortably nestled in a playoff spot. However, the decision by Paul Toboni to assemble a bullpen largely from discarded parts is now painfully evident. While one can understand the rationale behind building the bullpen in such a manner, given that the team was not initially constructed for contention, the current state of affairs is untenable.

For the sake of the fanbase, Toboni must commit to ensuring that this ‘closer by committee’ approach is a thing of the past. While playing matchups works well throughout the sixth to eighth innings, the ninth inning demands a definitive presence—a true alpha dog. Unfortunately, the Nationals currently lack such a figure at the back of their bullpen.

Whether it be through trades or acquisitions in the offseason, addressing the closer position must be a priority for Toboni. The attempts to utilize Orlando Ribalta and Richard Lovelady have not yielded results; both pitchers have struggled to handle the pressure of the ninth inning. Lovelady, despite being a feel-good story, has faced challenges throughout the season, while Ribalta, despite his potential, has faltered when it matters most.

Adding insult to injury, the Philadelphia Phillies sent Jhoan Duran to the mound in the ninth, and he made quick work of the Nationals, securing a dominant 1-2-3 inning. Duran exemplifies the kind of fireballer the Nationals desperately need—someone with a 100 MPH fastball and an entrance that instills confidence in fans.

Currently, the Nationals lack even a player in the tier of Kyle Finnegan or Jose A. Ferrer. Every time Blake Butera reaches for the bullpen, it feels like a gamble. While there are rare successes, such as PJ Poulin’s performance, the inconsistency of the bullpen has often led to disappointment, with pitchers unable to contain even lesser-known players like Derek Hill.

Butera’s management has not been without its missteps. Although it made sense to remove Ribalta after two taxing at-bats, Lovelady may not have been the ideal replacement. For the Nationals to prevail in close games, Butera must be flawless, yet even then, the team frequently falls short.

Nationals fans deserve better than the current closer-by-committee strategy. The bullpen has surrendered 59 home runs this season, far surpassing the next closest team by 11. The combination of walks and home runs has been detrimental, leading to blown leads and missed opportunities. The team has even become the first to lose consecutive games with two outs, two strikes, and nobody on base, a testament to the unpredictability of the bullpen.

While it may seem like a rant, the situation is indeed alarming. This bullpen has yet to establish any strengths, lacking both the ability to generate strikeouts and the proficiency to keep the ball in the park. The unit’s failures are starkly at odds with the offense, which has exceeded expectations and delivered clutch performances from players like Jorbit Vivas and Curtis Mead, only to see their efforts wasted.

Looking ahead, the offense is expected to remain strong, but there are no guarantees for next season. The Nationals have been fortunate to catch lightning in a bottle, and while young talents like James Wood and CJ Abrams promise continued success, the team must also consider the potential regression of players enjoying career years.

The starting rotation has shown promise, particularly with Foster Griffin emerging as a valuable asset. However, the rotation alone cannot carry the team, especially when the bullpen continues to falter.

To remedy this, the Nationals need to find a true closer, and the offseason presents opportunities to do just that. Candidates like Adrian Morejon, David Bednar, and Alex Vesia could significantly bolster the bullpen. Morejon, at just 27, would be a fantastic addition, boasting a fastball averaging over 99 MPH and two dominant secondary pitches.

While Morejon may not currently be a closer, he possesses the tools necessary for the role. As the offseason approaches, the Nationals must prioritize acquiring a legitimate closer, especially with trade options like Sam Bachman of the Angels on the table. The team needs to move away from its current reliance on finesse pitchers who are struggling to maintain consistency. The frustration is palpable, and it’s clear that a new approach is essential to avoid repeating the mistakes of this season.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.