Washington Nationals: 5 to watch in second half start against Reds

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Raisel Iglesias

With the bullpen struggles that the Washington Nationals have had this season, many eyes will be on Iglesias this weekend as he tries to save games for the Reds. This season, the 27-year-old is 16-for-17 in save chances and has 52 strikeouts in 36 innings.

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Out of the eight runs he has given up this season, four of them came in his lone blown save on June 11 against the Dodgers. Despite only one blown save, Iglesias did give up a walk-off single in the tenth to Bryce Harper on June 23.

As Ron Juckett wrote last week, Iglesias doesn’t give up many home runs (two) and the former starter has done a good job in his transition to being a reliever. However, the question the Washington Nationals have to answer is how he would handle D.C.?

Since coming to the Reds, Iglesias hasn’t played in many big games because they haven’t been in postseason contention. Now, there aren’t many big game closers on the market this year, so that might not be a big priority for the Nats this year.

However, the Reds aren’t exactly going to give him away for nothing as Jon Heyman of Fanrag Sports reported yesterday:

"“The Reds are believed willing to listen on Raisel Iglesias, but word is it would take a “blow them away” type deal. “He could shake up the relief market,” one NL exec not with the Reds said. The Reds understandably love Iglesias and have him under contract for three more years.”"

Iglesias would give their Washington Nationals a closer for the present and the future and a good late-inning combination with Koda Glover. However, is it worth giving up Victor Robles?

Next: Top 5 2nd half storylines

Who are the players you are watching in this first series of the second half? Let us know in the comments section.

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