The Washington Nationals have limped through the start of the 2019 season. Currently, they are 18-25 and six games back in the National League East.
They have been ailing with injuries to their lineup, inconsistent starting pitcher beyond their big three aces, and bullpen that implodes nearly every outing.
The Nationals pitching ranks 14th out of 15 teams in the NL with a 4.50 ERA and 13th with a .251 opponents batting average. Those rankings are worse among bullpens, as the Nationals’ relievers are last among all MLB with a 6.20 ERA and last in the NL with .278 opponents batting average.
This comes after general manager Mike Rizzo retooled the pitching on the team. Starter Anibal Sanchez is headed to the IL with a 0-6 record and a 5.10 ERA. This season’s pickups of relievers have been just as bad sans Justin Miller and Kyle Barraclough.
Matt Grace has an ERA of 7.11. Tony Sipp (currently on IL) has a 6.00 ERA. Dan Jennings has a whopping 11.25 ERA, and incredibly he is not the worst on the team. Trevor Rosenthal, another arm on the 10-day IL, has a 36.00 ERA. And Austen Williams is at 162.00 ERA.
Meanwhile a group of pitchers who spent time with the Nationals last season are thriving elsewhere, as relayed by Matt Weyrich of Federal Baseball.
Notable names, Shawn Kelley, Gio Gonzalez, and Brandon Kintzler, were all moved in trades last year because of relative struggles and more. Tanner Roark, a fan favorite, could have been used as the No. 4 starter behind Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Patrick Corbin.
Even the high ERA of Kelvin Herrera is better than eight of the Nationals’ relievers this season.
While manager Davey Martinez deserves a large portion of the blame, there should be some light shining on the subpar decision-making of Rizzo and company remaking the pitching this past winter.
