Written by Gabriel Baumgaertner at SI.com
Despite their painful exit against the Dodgers in the 2016 NLDS, the Nationals remained one of top teams in the National League and a postseason favorite for this season. They were coming off a 95-win campaign and had one of baseball’s best players (outfielder Bryce Harper), one of the game’s most promising young talents (shortstop Trea Turner) and two top starting pitchers to anchor a deep playoff run (righthanders Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg). Add in a trio of reliable veteran hitters (second baseman Daniel Murphy, third baseman Anthony Rendon and outfielder Jayson Werth), and Washington was the clear-cut NL East favorite.
So far things have gone mostly according to plan. Even with newly-acquired outfielder Adam Eaton having been lost to a torn ACL in April, the Nats have built a 7 1/2 game lead in the National League East. Veteran first baseman Ryan Zimmerman has not only rediscovered his form, he is in early Triple Crown contention, tying for the league lead with 13 homers while ranking first in RBIs (36) and batting average (.385). Likewise, Harper is back to his MVP-caliber self following a down year, leading baseball in OPS and trailing Zimmerman in the league’s batting title race by a single percentage point.
Still, Washington has what could prove to be a fatal flaw: its bullpen. After last season general manager Mike Rizzo opted against re-signing closer Mark Melancon or trading for a known commodity like the White Sox’ David Robertson, but after failing to lure Kenley Jansen away from the Dodgers, the Nats entered the season with a handful of uninspiring relievers like Koda Glover, Shawn Kelley and Blake Treinen vying for the closer’s role. Treinen won the job late in spring training, but lost it after posting an 8.10 ERA in his first four outings. After 13 more appearances that’s still where his ERA stands, and his 15 earned runs allowed in just 16 1/3 innings is more than starter Gio Gonzalez has surrendered in 51 innings of work.
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