Washington Nationals September 2016 Month In Review

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Sep 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo (L) and manager Dusty Baker (12) celebrate in the clubhouse after clinching the National League Eastern Division Championship by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. The Nationals won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Check out our grades for the Washington Nationals offense, starting pitching, and bullpen for the month of September

September was a month of highs and lows for the Washington Nationals. While they started the month winning 10 of their first 14 games, the Nats head into the final two games of the regular season having lost eight of their last 13 games (15-12 overall record). It was a month where manager Dusty Baker had many options to choose from in games due to the expanded 40-man roster.

During this month, the Washington Nationals clinched their third NL East title in the last five seasons with over a week to go. But, this team has had its fair share of bad injuries in the month of September. Right now, the team knows they will probably be without starter Stephen Strasburg (right elbow injury) and definitely without catcher Wilson Ramos (torn ACL).

As for the rest of the injuries, Daniel Murphy hasn’t started in a game since September 17 against the Braves because of a buttocks strain. Plus, Bryce Harper came back last night after missing four games with a thumb injury (0-for-4, four strikeouts).

Despite those injuries, the Nats had some standout performers during the month of September. Anthony Rendon drove in a team-high 23 runs, Trea Turner hit a team-high seven home runs, and Max Scherzer went undefeated in five starts as he pushes for the NL Cy Young award.

So, as we have done for the first five months of the season, let’s take a look back at the month of September as I give my grades for the offense, starting rotation, and the bullpen:

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