World Series: Is this Nationals bullpen suddenly good?

1 of 3

CHICAGO, IL – MAY 26: Pitchers stretch in the Washington Nationals bullpen during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 26, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

The only thing holding back the Washington Nationals all season has been the bullpen, but suddenly they look pretty good.

Don’t get me wrong, the Washington Nationals bullpen is still its weakest area, but they are starting to look formidable in the World Series.

Coming into the World Series the Nationals bullpen had an ERA of 4.76, which ranked as one of the worst among postseason teams.

But when you compare that to their league-leading worst 5.66 bullpen ERA from the regular season, they’ve actually been decent.

Of course, some of that has to do with the fact that Dave Martinez has used some of his starters out of the bullpen.

Here are the bullpen numbers for Nationals starters:

Stephen Strasburg – 3 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, 4 K

Max Scherzer – 1 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, 3 K

Patrick Corbin – 3.1 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 6 ER, 7 K

Combined, that’s 6 earned runs (all in one outing from Corbin) over 7.1 innings on 7 hits, 2 walks, and 14 strikeouts.

That’s a combined ERA of 7.10, but if you take out that terrible relief appearance from Corbin, they’ve been lights out.

Here are the numbers from the rest of the bullpen (only those on active World Series roster):

Sean Doolittle – 8.2 IP, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 ER, 7 K

Daniel Hudson – 7 IP, 7 H, 3 BB, 1 ER, 6 K

Tanner Rainey – 5.1 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 ER, 6 K

Fernando Rodney – 4.1 IP, 2 H, 6 BB, 0 ER, 5 K

Joe Ross – 2 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 ER, 0 K

Javy Guerra – 1 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 ER, 0 K

Wander Suero – 1.1 IP, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 ER, 1 K

That group has combined for a 2.46 ERA this postseason allowing 8 earned runs in 29.1 innings pitched. They have a combined WHIP of 1.126, but that’s a little inflated because of the 6 walks issued by Rodney.

And while their K/9 is well under 9, that’s because the bottom three have just 1 strikeout. The top four relievers (Doolittle, Hudson, Rainey, and Rodney) have 24 strikeouts in 25.1 innings.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 25: Fernando Rodney #56 of the Washington Nationals reacts against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in Game Three of the 2019 World Series at Nationals Park on October 25, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Good or lucky?

It’s safe to say that the Nationals bullpen has been due a little luck after a disastrous regular season.

Again, I think a lot of the bullpen’s success in the postseason is related to the starters being utilized more in relief.

But still, a 2.46 ERA and a 1.126 WHIP from the Nationals actual bullpen guys in this postseason is very impressive.

What the bullpen has been great at doing is ending rallies. In the postseason hitters are batting just .159 against them with runners in scoring position (RISP) with 2 home runs and 35 strikeouts in 88 at-bats (that’s combining starters and relievers).

Of the actual relieves for the Nats, they’ve given up just 4 hits in 22 at-bats (.181) this postseason with RISP.

I don’t know if you call that luck or just getting the job done, but make no mistake, Nationals relievers have done a great job of getting out of jams.

The Nationals bullpen has had to cover a lot of innings in this World Series, and probably will the rest of the way as well as that Astros lineup likes to work deep counts and drive up the starters pitch count.

In three games, Strasburg is the only starter to complete 6 innings.

But the relievers have stepped up. In the World Series alone, Nationals relievers have given up 3 earned runs on 8 hits and 5 walks in 10.2 innings with 7 strikeouts.

That’s an ERA of 2.55 and a WHIP of 1.226.

You obviously have to have a little luck sometimes, but I think Dave has done a good job of putting his relievers in spots to succeed, and so far they’re coming through for him in this World Series.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 22: Patrick Corbin #46 of the Washington Nationals prepares to pitch against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in Game One of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 22, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Bullpen strategy going forward

The bullpen strategy going forward in this World Series is really about to change for both teams.

Obviously, the Houston Astros are going with a bullpen game in Game 4, but with them behind in this series there are only certain guys they’ll trust coming out of the bullpen.

light. Related Story. Corbin vs. Astros Bullpen

More from District on Deck

And after Patrick Corbin makes his start in Game 4, he’ll strictly be used out of the bullpen the rest of the way. He likely won’t be available in Game 5, but he’ll most definitely be used as a reliever in games six and seven (if necessary).

As much as I’ve talked up the Nationals bullpen, there are still only a few guys who Dave Martinez can trust to call on.

Doolittle and Hudson will likely be called on to work the final two-plus innings in any game where the Nats have a lead the rest of the way (just like they did in Game 1).

While the other relievers have been good this postseason, those are the only two relievers who have been dominant.

Suero and Rainey should only be used in righty matchups in the middle innings. And with the walk issues for Rodney, I honestly don’t see him coming in again with the Nats ahead.

The strategy going forward is to hope your starters give you 6 innings and then use Hudson and Doolittle for the final three innings.

If a starter only goes five, then I think you use Rainey and Suero with very short hooks for both.

Next. Offense frustrates in Game 3. dark

While this bullpen has made some strides and come up huge for the Nationals this postseason, there are still just a handful of guys Martinez can depend on going forward.

Home / Nationals News