Washington Nationals: Five Potential NLDS Game 5 Heroes

By Ron Juckett | Oct 13, 2016

Oct 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth (28) celebrates with second baseman Daniel Murphy (20) after hitting a home run during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game three of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 6

Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

ANTHONY RENDON

After a solid season, the first four games of the playoffs have not been great for Anthony Rendon.

Hitting .188, or 3-for-16, during the NLDS, Rendon is well off his .270 clip from the regular season. Although he has a home run, a big one in their Game 3 win, he also has struck out four times.

A solid part of the middle of the lineup, with one of the best gloves on the team, Rendon is itching to do something. As with most of the Nationals this series, sometimes the nerves and the butterflies have gotten the best of him.

With his versatility on both sides of the ball, he can save a run in the field or extend a rally off of what will be an endless parade of Dodger pitchers. He can slug one out, but it may be a play that seems small at the time that sets the table.

Make no mistake, if the Dodgers give him something fat to hit, he will crush it. Yet, he swiped 12 bases and scored 91 runs in the regular season. If you need a player who can scratch out a run, you like his chances.

Home/Nationals News