Washington Nationals: Handicapping The Race For Closer
By Ron Juckett
KODA GLOVER- 10-1
If fans had a vote, Koda Glover is the man. Forget his numbers from last year. People forget he labored in 2016 with a bad hip.
What he put on display so far is incredible. Featuring a cutter, change and a fastball with incredible movement, Glover has swing-and-miss stuff that pounds the strike zone.
Against the Boston Red Sox, he fanned the side, each pitch drawing louder “oooh’s and ahh’s” from a crowd settled in to snooze through the minor-league portion of the game.
With his injury behind him, each of his appearances this spring has delivered the same performance. Pitches that hit spots with hitters checking their bats for holes.
We know Glover is the closer of the future. Although Baker is not fond of trusting younger players to deliver in high-pressure situations, he threw Trea Turner into the cauldron last year and reaped the rewards.
Glover may falter in the coming weeks. He is human. The display, so far, is like Turner last year. People stop and watch his inning of work.
April may not be his time to shine at the end, but Glover will be the man come October. His stuff is filthy, and he makes it look easy.