Washington Nationals: 5 x-factors in NLDS vs. Cubs
By Drew Douglas
Trea Turner
With the colder weather in October, the ball typically does not carry as well as in the middle of the summer. Because of this, it is sometimes necessary to manufacture runs. Fortunately for the Nats, Trea Turner can manufacture runs with the best of them.
Turner missed a couple months due to a fractured wrist, suffered against the Cubs in late June, but still managed to put together a dynamic season. In just 98 games, he stole 46 bases, a new Nationals record. He was also just 14 stolen bases behind Dee Gordon, the MLB-leader, despite playing in 60 fewer games.
In addition to being an elite base-stealer, Turner excels at getting on base. This season, he had a .338 on-base percentage and has a .348 career on-base percentage. An essential aspect of being a good base-stealer is getting on base often, which Turner has mastered.
The postseason can be daunting, but it did not phase Turner last year. He was a catalyst in the Nats’ potent offense in last year’s NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, batting .318 with two stolen bases and five RBI’s.
If he is able to have a similar series against the Cubs this year, Turner will be able to manufacture runs, which could be crucial against the Cubs’ tough pitching staff.
The Nats’ offense struggled throughout much of September, so they may need to manufacture runs against the Cubs. Fortunately, Trea Turner is the perfect candidate to do just that.