Washington Nationals: 3 lessons to learn from World Series
There are valuable lessons the Washington Nationals can glean from the last few World Series. How do they turn it into their own title?
The Washington Nationals are in the midst of a culture change following their exit in the National League Divisional Series.
From a new analytical approach to bringing in younger players, the Nats are serious in trying to win their first World Series. How they get there remains a mystery. But, as with any puzzle, this is one that can be cracked. Ask the Houston Astros.
Hiring Dave Martinez is a start. As Joe Maddon’s bench coach for two World Series trips, they hope his knowledge is a crucial missing piece of solving Washington’s championship dilemma. The Nats are attempting to go with sabremetics seriously to construct lineups, rosters and who to draft.
Finally, Washington has a grasp on the concept it takes more than money to win. Sure, there is top talent on the field. But, four times in six years, the playoff run ended too early. Since you cannot fire the players, the changes needed are subtle and must come from within.
Along with a change in thinking, the Nats should look how the Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs and Astros pulled off their championship ambitions. Learning how the New York Mets, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers fell short is a good idea.
Although playoffs are crap shoots, titles are not accidental. They take planning and execution. Baseball is a sport that has evolved since the sports creation. Over the last three years, the evolution of the eventual champion changes at a faster pace.
As the Nats try to prepare for their own run, here are lessons they can take away from the recent World Series.
SPARK PLUGS ARE NEEDED
The lasting image after Wednesday night’s Game 7 was Carlos Correa proposing to his girlfriend after the game.
Although any championship is a total team effort down to the laundry person keeping the pants comfortable where would the Astros be without Correa and Jose Altuve at the top of the lineup? Likely watching the Dodgers celebrate on television with the rest of us.
From Dustin Pedroia in his prime with the Boston Red Sox to Alcides Escobar with Kansas City, having a pest of a player who can charge a game from the start is essential. Altuve’s ability to score runs either with power or speed was a huge ace for Houston.
The Nats hope Trea Turner can be that spark, but unlike Altuve and Pedroia, Turner is shy and reserved. Perhaps a healthy Adam Eaton can provide the mix of personality and performance Washington has lacked. It is clear somebody needs to provide swagger and back it up.
Bryce Harper has self-confidence by the carload, but he lacks the on-field fire we saw with Anthony Rizzo the last two years. Although Max Scherzer’s personality and performance matches the description, pitchers do not have the same impact throwing maybe three games of seven.
Washington needs a player who can distract pitchers from the start. If they come across as annoying, even better. The Nats have rarely controlled the pace and tempo of playoff games and it shows in the results.
THE GAME CHANGES
From Terry Francona’s use of Andrew Miller in the playoffs last year to Houston’s balky bullpen this year, there is one baseball theory that falls flat come October. The stability in securing the bullpen for Washington was a huge bonus saving the season, but watching the Astros stymie the Yankees and Dodgers with relievers reminiscent of Blake Treinen this May is stunning.
When given the opportunity, Dave Martinez must find a wrinkle to throw at playoff teams next year. Considering he learned from the master of unorthodox baseball in Maddon, you can count on something strange out of the box.
The one constant in recent playoff baseball is the changing role of the starting pitching. Once the bastion of October, they rarely pitch into the fifth inning. Starting with Madison Bumgarner’s amazing 2014 Game 7 performance for San Francisco, managers are turning more to their starters to get multiple relief innings in crucial situations. Pedro Martinez’s 1999 game-saver in the Boston-Cleveland series is no longer rare.
Justin Verlander and Chris Sale locked horns in an ALDS game that was not a do-or-die affair at Fenway Park this fall. Any chance the Dodgers had coming back in Game 7 were there because Clayton Kershaw shut Houston down.
The Nats must figure how to use this to their advantage. Are they the first team to divide a game for three three-inning pitchers? Do they experiment with a six-man rotation if they clinch early to save innings for their tired starters?
Innovation and surprise, especially the last two years, changed the way teams approach October. How Washington adapts or creates might be the difference.
LEARNING FROM PAST MISTAKES
The last three champions have something in common. They fell short in the playoffs a year or two before their title with the same core of players.
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Houston missed the playoffs altogether after the Royals beat them in the 2015 ALDS. The Cubs were swept by the Mets in the 2015 NLDS and Kansas City lost a World Series Game 7 at home before conquering New York.
It is easy to say Washington must forget their playoff failures of the past, but it’s true. These run of current champions lost in heartbreaking fashion and bounced back. Either they made a change or figured out how to learn from the past. With the tremendous talent in Los Angeles, it is a matter of time before they break their 30-year drought.
Losses sting. You have a whole winter to think about why you fell short. Yet, these three teams made it happen and ended long championship droughts. Kansas City’s was the shortest at 30 years. If the Cubs can erase 108 years of frustration away, so can Washington.
The hire of Martinez is a start. Convincing fans this is not the same old Washington is the next challenge. Perhaps, the toughest.
As the thousands gathering in Houston for a parade can tell you, it can happen.