Washington Nationals: Nats’ Glaring Problems Can’t Be Swept Away

Sweeping the Atlanta Braves on the road was a positive step, but the Washington Nationals haven’t turned the 2019 season around just yet.

Nobody, including yours truly, thought the Washington Nationals would sweep a two-game series against the Braves this week in Cobb County, Georgia.

The Nationals deserve credit for going into a hostile environment and silencing the annoying tomahawk chop and Atlanta’s arrogant sports media. The Nats pulled it off thanks to phenomenal starting pitching by Stephen Strasburg and former Braves starter Anibal Sanchez, along with an offense that’s finally showing signs of life.

Strasburg, long derided by many Atlanta announcers, writers and fans, dominated a previously red-hot lineup. Sanchez, whom the Braves let go a despite a stellar 2018 season, allowed just one hit in his first outing since a stint on the injured list.

Led by former Atlanta catcher Kurt Suzuki, Trea Turner, and Howie Kendrick, the Nationals offense scored five runs on Tuesday despite stranding a plethora of runners. Another unproductive night for Brian Dozier might have finally relegated the struggling second baseman to the bench in favor of Kendrick, who should be the regular starter.

Kendrick, Turner, Juan Soto, Anthony Rendon, and ex-Brave Matt Adams led a relentless Nationals offense in a stunning Wednesday night blowout win. The starting lineup was one many Nats fans have been calling for all year and should be the regular batting order moving forward vs. right-handed pitching, with or without Ryan Zimmerman.

Winning both games in Unincorporated Atlanta, along with taking three of four in the previous series with the Miami Marlins, marks the first week of tangible progress for baseball’s most disappointing team. Some might say the Nats winning five of the last six saved the season, but unless two huge underlying problems are fixed, a true turnaround is not sustainable.

It all starts with Davey Martinez. No Washington Nationals website or media outlet has pointed out his managerial flaws more clearly and consistently than District on Deck. The longer Martinez manages this team, the less chance the Nats have of returning to the playoffs. It’s that simple.

Relief pitching is the other massive roadblock preventing Washington from being a contender. As District on Deck contributor Danny Kelly pointed out, the bullpen is so bad that its ERA increased while sweeping an opponent.

Other than elite left-hander Sean Doolittle, who has been overworked by Martinez (not always out of necessity, either), the Nationals don’t have a single reliable reliever.

Kyle Barraclough has repeatedly failed in the setup role. Tanner Rainey was charged with blown saves in two of his first five appearances. Wander Suero and Matt Grace have been mediocre and overused. Tony Sipp is a lefty specialist who suddenly can’t retire lefties. Trevor Rosenthal is being paid millions to walk Double-A hitters in Harrisburg.

If general manager Mike Rizzo doesn’t immediately fix the bullpen with the blessing of Nationals managing principal owner Mark Lerner, the encouraging Braves and Marlins series won’t matter in the long run. It’s impossible to climb out of a significant early season hole when any 8th inning lead can vanish in an instant.

Craig Kimbrel remains the key to the Nationals bullpen and the division race. For Washington to be an NL East factor, signing the future Hall of Fame closer is not only a necessity for the bullpen, but also for the team’s hopes to make up lost ground. If the Nats add Kimbrel, the Braves and Philadelphia Phillies don’t. That in itself should be a huge incentive.

Paying Kimbrel doesn’t mean the Nats can’t still sell at the deadline if a mid-season comeback doesn’t materialize. Not only would Kimbrel appeal to a contender, but the Nats have many other valuable trade chips like Rendon, Doolittle, Kendrick, Adams, Suzuki and – dare I say it – Max Scherzer.

The Nationals cannot reach the postseason, let alone the 2019 World Series, without a dependable bullpen and competent manager. While sweeping the Braves was a feelgood moment, the Nats – in current form – still, look like sellers at the upcoming trade deadline.

If the Washington Nationals quickly address their most glaring needs, a playoff berth is still within reach. If not, the rebuild might as well start now.