Washington Nationals: Grading April’s Performance
By Ron Juckett
BULLPEN
You are supposed to read 200 words, at least, on every slide.
We do not need that many to say how utterly awful the bullpen is.
The colossal failure to get clean innings or close down games is the dirty secret everyone knows. The pen allowed 14 home runs in April. And, the four losses charged are more than the regular rotation lost in the month.
Only Matt Albers and Oliver Perez have ERA’s under 4.00. Injuries shut down Koda Glover and Sammy Solis. Blake Treinen’s confidence is gone, kaput. He pitches with runners on base with the confidence of a petrified public speaker and the speed of a frozen slug.
Joe Blanton’s ERA is 9.90. That is higher than the cost of a beer from a vendor.
They cannot possibly remain this bad. When Glover returns, he rejoins Shawn Kelley as joint closer. How the get the game is another story.
We knew the pen coming north was a work in progress. When the work actually progresses, we hope before October.
A: Albers
B: Perez
C-: Kelley, Glover
D: Enny Romero
F: Blanton, Treinen, Solis