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 /

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Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

TREA TURNER

After shaky start to the series, Trea Turner has pulled together a nice NLDS.

Now 6-for-17, a sweet .353 clip, with five runs and a stolen base, Turner has become someone Dodger pitchers fear at the plate. Yes, he struck out 10 times including three in Game 1. Once he gets on base, he is a threat to score. Unlike the rest of the series, Turner will not have to worry about the never-ending shadows crossing home plate. With the game completely at night, it is with a normal batter’s eye in his home park.

Because the Dodgers have cleaned their bullpen out so often, Turner has either faced everyone or watched video on how to get on. The nerves that rattled him in Game 1 are gone. Those new butterflies shared by everybody in both dugouts.

With one mistake, a walk even, Turner can manufacture a run nearly on his own. Dusty Baker placed him leadoff when Turner came from Syracuse for good and the rookie delivers in spade almost every game.

In a half-season that borders on legendary, Turner can cement his status with a big play in Game 5. His potential is endless. He would trade not winning Rookie of the Year for a championship in a heartbeat.

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