Washington Nationals: Three Takeaways From Game 1 NLDS Loss
Check out our three takeaways from the Washington Nationals 4-3 loss to the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLDS
Yesterday, the Washington Nationals began their NLDS matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers. While the pitching matchup wasn’t the duel everyone thought would happen, Game 1 still had its fair share of drama.
Neither ace pitcher had their great stuff last night. Max Scherzer gave up four runs and two home runs in the first three innings. However, he only gave up two hits over the last three innings of his outing, which kept the Washington Nationals within striking distance.
As for Kershaw, the Dodgers gave him the 4-0 lead, but he wasn’t his dominant self last night. He only went five innings, gave up three runs on eight hits, struck out seven, and walked one in the win. The Nats offense had a chance to make that line look worse, but they failed to do so.
Despite the lack of timely hitting (1-for-10 with men in scoring position), Anthony Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman each had multi-hit games in the middle of the order. Rendon drove in the first two runs in the third with a base hit to left after Jayson Werth and Bryce Harper pulled off a double steal.
When you look at this game, arguably the decision that was the biggest head scratcher was Daniel Murphy trying to steal second in the seventh against Pedro Baez with Rendon at the plate. While I liked the aggressiveness from Murphy there, he needs to have a bigger lead if he’s going to steal. Here are Dusty Baker’s comments on the steal after the game:
Dusty said he was surprised Daniel Murphy tried to steal, but that Murphy had green light if he saw an opportunity.
— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) October 8, 2016
Today, the Washington Nationals will hand the ball to Tanner Roark as they try to salvage a split of the first two games. He will take the ball against Rich Hill for the Dodgers. You can watch the game on FS1 at 4:08 p.m ET. Before Game 2 gets underway, here are my three thoughts from Game 1:
Time To Bench Espinosa
Heading into the postseason, the player in the Washington Nationals offense that was in the biggest slump was Danny Espinosa. The shortstop went 9-for-85 (.106) during the month of September with three home runs, but he had 40 strikeouts.
Against Clayton Kershaw last night, he couldn’t get a hit and barely made any contact. He struck out in all three at-bats against the left-hander, but that wasn’t bad enough. All three of his strikeouts came with two men on base and he fouled off two of the 12 pitches.
With Wilson Ramos out of the lineup, the depth that Baker can send out there is thinner than the Dodgers lineup. Yesterday, Baker made the decision to put Espinosa ahead of Pedro Severino in the lineup. Severino was able to reach base twice and had a double in the fourth (later scored).
This season, Espinosa hit .233 with five home runs and 46 RBI’s with men in scoring position. That being said, his 35 strikeouts were the most of any Nats player in those situations. Despite those struggles, Baker said he is going to be in the lineup later today:
For tomorrow, Dusty indicates Jose Lobaton will likely start (past success vs. Rich Hill) and Espinosa will be back in there.
— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) October 8, 2016
Baker: "Espinosa can turn around and hit the next pitch out of the park. That's what's kind of frustrating...his swing was long tonight."
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) October 8, 2016
Now, Espinosa’s defense is valuable to the Nats. However, if he can’t even make contact right now and if the high rate of strikeouts continues, might it be best from an offensive standpoint to play Stephen Drew even if you lose some defense in the process?
However, I am not surprised that Baker is sticking with Espinosa. He has stayed loyal to the veterans all season long and no one should expect that to change, even in a must win game like today is.
Battle Of The Bullpens
In what some considered an even matchup between Kershaw and Scherzer, the bullpens were likely going to be the ones that decided the game. Last night, that statement held true as both bullpens combined to give up four hits without giving up a run.
However, it was the Dodgers bullpen that was able to hold the 4-3 lead that Kershaw left them. Los Angeles’ relievers gave up one hit over the final four innings. That hit was a pinch-hit double by Clint Robinson against closer Kenley Jansen in the bottom of the eighth.
One pitcher on the Dodgers bullpen who stood out was Grant Dayton. The left-hander came in for Joe Blanton with two outs in the sixth and got Harper to pop out to end the inning. Dayton would strikeout Werth and walk Murphy before handing the ball to Pedro Baez.
Last night, Dave Roberts decided to go to Jansen for the five-out save and the move paid off. Jansen struck out Chris Heisey in the eighth and then retired the top of the order 1-2-3 in the ninth with two strikeouts.
As for the Nats bullpen, they were impressive as well. Sammy Solis gave up one hit over two innings and had great success against the Dodgers left-handers. In the ninth, Mark Melancon loaded the bases, but struck out three during the ninth.
If this is going to be a long series, the bullpens are going to play a factor. Both Baker and Roberts made good decisions with their relievers, but it’s Roberts who ended up getting the win in his first postseason game as manager.
Third Basemen Steal The Show
When I did the tale of the tape for this series, one of the positions I had trouble deciding which team had the edge was at third base. Last night, Justin Turner and Anthony Rendon both had good games for their respective clubs.
After being hit by a pitch in the first inning, Turner’s big at-bat of the night came in the third. With Corey Seager on first and two out, Turner hit a first pitch breaking ball over the wall in left for a two-run home run that put Los Angeles up 4-0.
More from District on Deck
- Latest DraftKings Sportsbook Promo Code in Maryland: Bet $5, Win $200 Guaranteed
- Nationals Claim Jeter Downs Off Waivers
- Washington Nationals Minor League Spotlight: Robert Hassell III
- Washington Nationals Tuesday Q&A
- 3 Free Agents the Nationals Should Gamble On
If it were not for a great play by Werth in the bottom of the eighth, Turner would have reached base in all four plate appearances. This season, the Dodgers third baseman beat up Nats pitching as he hit three home runs and drove in seven runs. That trend continued last night.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Rendon had the biggest hit of the night for the Washington Nationals against Kershaw. In the bottom of the third, he drew the count even and hit a slider into left field for a two-run single. Two innings later, he had another base hit to left, but was left stranded on base.
If the Washington Nationals offense is going to have success in this series, they need Rendon to deliver in the big moments. Last night, he was able to do that with his base hit and he kept the momentum going from his strong end to the season (23 RBI’s in September).
Next: Nationals Fall Short In NLDS Opener
When you look at this series, both of these third basemen are pivotal to the team’s success on offense. Last night, it Was Turner who got the big home run against Scherzer. I would expect both of these players to have a strong NLDS.