Washington Nationals: 5 to watch against Atlanta again
By Ron Juckett
MATT ALBERS
When the Nats invited Matt Albers to camp this past February, did it occur to you he would be the workhorse out of the bullpen? A show of hands would prove everyone a liar.
The non-roster invitee turned into the rock the Nats needed. After a solid stint with the Houston Astros in 2014 and Chicago White Sox in 2015, 2016 was a disaster. With a WHIP of 1.675 and an ERA of 6.31, Albers pitched himself off the South Side.
His remarkable comeback with Washington pales in comparison with a healthy Ryan Zimmerman, but Albers’ rubber-armed act is a big reason the team is flourishing.
Pitching in 15 of the Nats opening 40 games, Albers has an ERA of 1.15 and a WHIP of 0.702. Both are career best.
There is nothing flashy about him. Albers is chunky, does not throw hard and is not a strikeout pitcher. Yet, he has two saves and tied for third with Koda Glover. His 5.2 hits-per-9 is the best of any pitcher on the team, starters included.
Until the rest of the pen comes around, Washington needs to lean on Albers. Hopefully, his arm can take the use.
He threw a scoreless inning in the first series versus the Braves.