Washington Nationals: Predicting the home team all-stars
By Blake Finney
Sean Doolittle dominating in relief
In 2018 the Washington Nationals have a lock-down back-end of the bullpen for the first time in a long time. And Sean Doolittle has been a big part of that, making the closer’s role his own.
The bullpen cart aficionado has been near-dominant since joining the team in the trade with the Oakland Athletics. So much so that in a recent article on MLB.com article by Mike Petriello, he was labelled the best reliever in baseball.
And as such, he should easily make the All-Star Game to represent the Nationals. So far with the Nats he’s recorded 30 saves in 31 opportunities, including a perfect 9 of 9 this season.
The leftie was a great reliever in Oakland, but it seems he’s taken a step forward this year to the very top tier. He’s on course to set career bests in K/9 with 13.5 and WHIP with 0.536. Striking out that many batters, and allowing such a low number of base-runners, is the sign of a legitimately elite closer.
Usually five or six relievers make each team’s pitching staff for the big game. This means there’s a good chance of Doolittle getting onto team, even with dominant arms such as Josh Hader and Wade Davis in the mix for the senior circuit.
Were he to do so, he would be the first Nationals reliever to make the team since Tyler Clippard was there in 2011. Not a huge surprise it’s been that long given some of the team’s bullpen troubles in recent years.
The home faithful will look forward to a chance to unleash the Dooooo chants in the big game. With Doolittle becoming a real fan favorite at Nats Park, the fans would love an opportunity to celebrate their lights out closer.