Washington Nationals force Game 5 with statement victory

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The Washington Nationals beat the Chicago Cubs 5-0 in a must-win Game 4; here are five takeaways from the statement victory.

The Washington Nationals fell behind the Chicago Cubs 2-1, making Game 4 a must-win. The game was scheduled to be played on Tuesday with Illinois-native Tanner Roark on the mound; however, a rain-out allowed Stephen Strasburg to get the start.

Strasburg got the nod despite battling flu-like symptoms, but he was far from the only ill player on the field. Several members of the Nats were a bit under the weather due to mold in the team hotel.

Continuing the theme of players at less than full strength, Cubs starter Jake Arrieta was pitching through a hamstring issue that he battled for most of the second half. This did not appear to hinder him much, as he pitched four innings, allowing two hits and no earned runs.

Unfortunately for the Cubs, their errors finally caught up to them. Addison Russell booted a Ryan Zimmerman ground ball in the top of the third, allowing the go-ahead run to score. Now pitching with a lead, Strasburg never looked back, dominating over seven innings.

The score was 1-0 for what seemed to be an eternity, before Michael Taylor broke it open with a grand slam off of Wade Davis in the eighth inning. With the score now 5-0, it became apparent that this great series would be pushed to a decisive Game 5 in DC.

Now, the series will conclude tonight, with the winner advancing to play the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS. Although the series looked like a disaster for the Nats at one point, it now appears that it may be in their favor. They have all the momentum from Game 4, and they are coming back to Nationals Park for Game 5.

Before looking ahead to the decisive Game 5, here are five takeaways from the Nats’ statement victory in Game 4.

Stephen Strasburg dominates in surprise start

When Game 4 was postponed on Tuesday, everyone assumed that Stephen Strasburg would get the nod on normal rest over original starter Tanner Roark. However, Dusty Baker and the Nationals announced that Roark would remain the Game 4 starter.

Strasburg was battling flu-like symptoms and would not pitch until the potential Game 5. This led to a media circus, with Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post calling Strasburg a “finicky diva”. Former Cub and current ESPN analyst David Ross also said that if he were Strasburg’s teammate, he would not be able to look him in the eye.

After much criticism and additional medication, Strasburg informed the team that he could, indeed, start Game 4. Controversially, he got the nod, but it turned out to work better than anyone could have expected.

Strasburg was admittedly pitching at less than full strength, but earned himself and the Nats a victory with utter dominance.

When all was said and done, Strasburg pitched seven scoreless innings, racking up 12 strikeouts, and limiting the Cubs to just three hits. A large part of Strasburg’s success came thanks to his change-up, which was filthier than the team hotel.

Of Strasburg’s 12 strikeouts, eight of them came on change-ups. He had great command of his fastball, change-up, and curveball, keeping the Cubs’ offense guessing all night. He finished the regular season as one of the best pitchers in the league, but this was possibly the best he’s ever been, especially considering the circumstances.

Strasburg was not named the Game 4 starter until just a few hours before first pitch, but he pitched as if he had been preparing for the game his whole life. Thanks to Strasburg’s dominance, the Nats were able to force a Game 5.

Trea Turner finally breaks through

The Cubs’ pitchers are among the worst in the league at holding baserunners. Because of this, Trea Turner is an x-factor for the series.

Unfortunately for the Nats, Turner came into Game 4 without reaching base in 12 at-bats. He is a catalyst in this potent Nats offense, but looked completely lost at the plate in the first three games of the series.

After popping out to begin Game 4, Turner finally got a base hit, doubling into the left field corner in the third inning.

Aside from the eighth inning of Game 2, the Nats offense had struggled throughout the first three games of the series. Some people believed that it was because of Turner’s struggles, which was all but confirmed in Game 4.

Turner advanced to third on a wild pitch after his double and eventually came in to score the game’s first run. With his blazing speed, Turner is able to manufacture runs at a time when it is difficult to cluster hits together.

If Turner’s double allows him to relax and return to form in Game 5, he could lead the way on a big offensive night. The Nats have struggled to hit Cubs probable starter Kyle Hendricks, so Turner may have to manufacture some runs for the Nats to win.

If for nothing else, at least we no longer have to hear about how Turner is hitless in the series.

The Cubs’ shaky bullpen

Postseason baseball is vastly different from the regular season, with pitching roles being among the main differences. In the postseason, relievers take on a much bigger role, with relievers in the back-end of the bullpen especially being handed more responsibility.

Unfortunately for the Cubs, the back-end of their bullpen has faltered so far this series. Carl Edwards primarily pitched the eighth inning for the Cubs in the regular season, pitching to a 2.98 ERA in 73 games. Wade Davis primarily pitched the ninth inning for the Cubs in the regular season, pitching to a 2.30 ERA and converting 32 of his 33 save opportunities.

Edwards and Davis were lights-out for the Cubs in the regular season. However, the dynamic duo, Edwards especially, has struggled in the postseason.

Edwards has appeared in each of the first four games of the series, pitching to a 19.29 ERA and allowing five runs in 2.1 innings. He has also pitched in both eighth inning explosions for the Nats, allowing three runs in Game 2 and two runs in Game 4.

These struggles should not come as a surprise, as Edwards also struggled against the Nats in the regular season. In four regular season games this season, he allowed eight runs in just three innings.

In addition to Edwards, Davis has also struggled a bit. He relieved Edwards in Game 4, entering a bases loaded jam with one out. Then, he did something he did only six times in the regular season: allow a home run.

Michael Taylor crushed Davis’ high fastball for a grand slam against the wind, breaking the game open. Following the grand slam, pinch-hitter Adam Lind singled, ending Davis’ brief outing.

Bullpens play a big role in postseason baseball, but key members of the Cubs’ bullpen have struggled, which could be detrimental for the defending champs.

Out with the new, in with the old

The Nationals boasted one of the best offenses in all of baseball throughout the regular season. They scored the third-most runs in the National League, and did so while missing many key pieces due to various injuries.

While many Nationals players spent significant time on the disabled list, the batting order remained largely the same throughout most of the regular season. However, Dusty Baker decided to change things up in the postseason.

Jayson Werth, the 38-year-old outfielder, hit second for most of the regular season because of his outstanding ability to prolong at-bats. However, Baker moved him down to the six-hole for the first three games of the NLDS.

Bryce Harper, NL MVP candidate and arguably the Nats’ best hitter, primarily hit in the three-hole throughout the regular season. However, he missed most of August and September due to a leg injury and returned to hit in the two-hole. It made sense in the regular season because he needed as many at-bats as possible, but he should have been moved back in the postseason. Oddly enough, he hit in the two-hole for the first three games of the NLDS.

Anthony Rendon, NL MVP candidate and the NL leader in WAR, hit sixth for much of the regular season. He is an elite hitter, but has said in the past that he is not as comfortable hitting higher in the lineup. He is a terrific six-hole hitter and lengthens the lineup, but he hit third in the first three games of the NLDS.

The new-look lineup struggled and only recorded 11 hits in the first three games of the series. Finally, Baker reverted back to the original lineup in Game 4. While the Nats still only recorded five hits, it is improvement and they had many more run-scoring opportunities.

This lineup will also be better if Turner continues to break out of his slump, as Werth is much better suited to take pitches than Harper.

The Nats’ Game 4 lineup resembled what worked for most of the regular season, and Baker should never have abandoned it. If they stick with this lineup for Game 5, they will be in a better position to have a big offensive night and possibly advance to the first NLCS in team history.

Nats forced Game 5

With their statement victory in Game 4, the Nats forced a decisive Game 5. Many experts predicted that the series would go five games, but the Nats appeared to be on the brink of elimination on numerous occasions.

Fortunately, they have survived and the series will come down to a winner-take-all game tonight.

More from District on Deck

As of Wednesday night, the Nationals had not yet named a starting pitcher, but Dusty Baker said it will most likely be either Gio Gonzalez or Tanner Roark. Baker also mentioned that ace Max Scherzer should be available out of the bullpen.

Whoever starts for the Nats will be opposed by Kyle Hendricks, who shut down the Nats in Game 1. Opposing Hendricks is a tall task, but the Nats offense should fare better against Hendricks this time around.

The Nats were extremely passive at the plate in Game 1, but they should have learned their lesson and come out swinging tonight. They have also seen Hendricks recently, which should be beneficial.

The Nats have yet to advance past the NLDS since returning to DC in 2005, and Game 5 struggles have played a big role in that.

Five years ago, to the day, the Nats played against the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 5 of the 2012 NLDS. The Nats jumped on the Cardinals early, building a 6-0 lead in the first three innings. The bullpen eventually melted down, and the Nats lost the game 9-7.

Last year’s NLDS against the Dodgers also went five games. Again, the Nats got a lead early, scoring a run in the second. However, another bullpen meltdown cost them the game, as Scherzer, Marc Rzepczynski, Blake Treinen, Sammy Solis, and Shawn Kelley combined to allow four runs in the seventh.

People say that the third time’s the charm, and this is the Nats’ third time playing an NLDS Game 5 at home in the last five years. Hopefully, they are able to finally win one and advance to the first NLCS in team history.

Next: Is Baker's job on the line?

With the Nats down 2-1 in the series, Game 4 was a must-win. Fortunately, they pulled it off and forced a Game 5. There are many possible takeaways from their statement win, but Stephen Strasburg’s dominant start, Trea Turner recording his first hit of the series, the Cubs’ shaky bullpen, Dusty Baker reverting back to the original batting order, and the Nats forcing a Game 5 are among the most intriguing.

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