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World Series: Is this Nationals bullpen suddenly good?

By Jake Mastroianni

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 25: Fernando Rodney #56 of the Washington Nationals comes out of the bullpen 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 25: Fernando Rodney #56 of the Washington Nationals comes out of the bullpen 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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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)
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.

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