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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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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)
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

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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.

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