Washington Nationals: Sean Doolittle finds his mojo

The emergence of Washington Nationals closer Sean Doolittle into a powerhouse highlights why they are a serious championship contender.

Perhaps the biggest change the second half of the season for the Washington Nationals is how solid the bullpen is. What gets lost in the three-headed monster the Nats throw out is the performance of Sean Doolittle as closer.

In 19 chances, he has locked down 19 games. Over 27 innings, Doolittle has scattered six earned runs. Not bad for a pitcher who last closed in 2014. From his presence on the mound to his involvement with his fiancé in the community, you could not ask for a better team player.

When he arrived from the Oakland Athletics in a trade July 16 with Ryan Madson for Blake Treinen and two minor-leaguers, the conventional wisdom was Washington would mix-and-match closers until they found the right choice. After the Nats grabbed Brandon Kintzler at the trade deadline, again, another audition was in the cards.

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Instead, Doolittle has the job locked.

Madson, whether for Oakland or the Kansas City Royals before, pitches better setting up than as a closer. Kintzler was the closer for the Minnesota Twins for a year and change before the deal. If anyone would handle the ninth, you thought Kintzler had the pedigree.

Doolittle grabbed the job and never let go. Another under the radar move by Mike Rizzo setting up a deep championship run. Whatever early trouble Doolittle got into, he got out of. As his confidence grew, so did his ability.

It was as a closer that earned Doolittle his lone All-Star game. In 2014, his 22 saves earned him a spot for the American League. Although limited in action the next two years, Rizzo liked Doolittle, along with his contract, to nab him. The rest is short-term history.

Under contract one more year with a friendly team option in 2019, the Nats hope they have found the steady piece missing over the years as closer. If Doolittle finishes under 100 games in 2018 and 2019 combined, 2020 gives Washington another team option. If he clears the century mark, the option turns mutual.

As the Nats ramp into a championship-caliber club, one of their assets is stability. Although injuries this year did not allow that on the field, behind the scenes this team is rock solid. Doolittle embraces that role as well as the ninth inning.

Next: Roark's amazing bounce back.

His ability to put his ego aside for the team works for the greater good. If this is the year Washington wins a trophy, his ability to slam door will earn him the right to be one of the first players raising it high above into the night sky.

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