District Daily: Drew Storen expects postseason success, Aaron Barrett ready for playoffs
By Pablo Roa
Sep 27, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals relief pitcher
Drew Storen(22) throws during the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit:
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Good morning DoD readers! Start off your day with some great Washington Nationals articles from around the web in our District Daily:
Storen expects success in second postseason go-round
WASHINGTON — It’s safe to say that Nationals right-hander Drew Storen has been a dominant pitcher ever since manager Matt Williams gave him the closer’s job on Sept. 7. It was a role that had belonged to Rafael Soriano for most of the season.
From that point to the end of the season, Storen saved 10 games without allowing a run in 10 1/3 innings, with 10 strikeouts.
“It’s been fun. I think a lot of it comes down to command,” Storen said. “It’s so crucial to work ahead of the hitters. In the ninth inning, that’s really big, especially with some of the one-run leads I’ve come into. You really have to work ahead of guys and keep the ball down in the zone, manipulate and make them move and try to miss some barrels.” Read full article here.
Change for the better: Barrett ready for playoffs
WASHINGTON — Right-hander Aaron Barrett is an integral part of the Nationals’ bullpen, able to pitch anywhere from the sixth to the eighth inning. And in his first year in the big leagues, Barrett, 26, is pleased to be participating in the postseason.
“It’s pretty cool to be part of this special group, trying to contribute any way possible,” Barrett said. Read full article here.
The Nationals are peaking too soon. Here’s why.
(Neil Greenberg, Washington Post)
The Washington Nationals are the odds on favorite to represent the National League in this year’s World Series (18.2 percent), with the Los Angeles Dodgers close behind (17.1 percent). Some, like ESPN’s Keith Olbermann, don’t think it is that close at all.
The exuberance is certainly justified: The Nationals are as deep a team as you will find in MLB and are clicking on all cylinders headed into the postseason. But are they playing well? Read full article here.