Perspective | There’s no confusion here: The Nationals can’t get relief from bullpen concerns.
By Barry Svrluga Barry Svrluga Sports columnist with beat writing experience on baseball, golf, the NFL, college basketball and college football Email Bio Follow Sports columnist April 29 at 2:34 PM It’s the bullpen, stupid. Don’t let those eight consecutive zeros on the scoreboard Sunday, or four more Monday night, fool you. It’ll be the bullpen Tuesday night against St. Louis.
“They get it, and they understand,” Manager Dave Martinez said Sunday of his beleaguered relievers. “They struggled, but we need them. We need those guys.” The Nationals rank in the top half of baseball in every single one. They’re not outstanding; for example, their 4.20 ERA for the rotation through the weekend would be their highest since they started contending in 2012. But they’re not killing themselves in any of those areas, either.
Sunday’s performance lowered the mark to 6.57 — awful but no longer historically awful. Still, Washington’s worst March/April bullpen ERA before this was in the infamous 2017 season, when a loaded team somehow entered the year with shaky Blake Treinen and vagabond Shawn Kelley as the best options at closer. Treinen’s ERA at this point that year: a cool 10.00. Kelley’s was a more modest 5.40.
Kyle Barraclough, Rosenthal’s most likely replacement who generally has been effective, still doesn’t have a 1-2-3 inning. Veteran lefty specialist Tony Sipp is allowing left-handed hitters a .333 average. The Nats have employed three relievers with an ERA under 5.00 and seven with an ERA north of that. Things have been so dicey that Martinez called on Doolittle, the closer, with a five-run lead to get the final out of their only win in Miami.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Study about Warren's college plan may ease concerns about debt relief helping the wealthy mostA study analyzing 2020 candidate Elizabeth Warren's student debt relief plan may reduce concerns about a windfall for the wealthiest Americans.
Read more »
Perspective | Journalists can’t ignore hacked data meant to disrupt elections. But here’s what they can do.Newsrooms must be prepared for the next (inevitable) time when hackers target an American election — or any institution.
Read more »
Perspective | Joe Biden, the master of not quite getting itWhat the candidate still doesn’t understand about apologies and the Anita Hill hearings.
Read more »
Here's who's getting rich on Slack's multi-billion dollar IPOSlack insiders are set to reap some big paydays when the workplace messaging company goes public.
Read more »
'Fortnite' Is Getting a Big Crossover Event With 'Avengers: Endgame': Here's What To ExpectFortnite is crossing over with 'Avengers: Endgame', likely bringing back Thanos and some other familiar faces. Here's what to expect and when the event starts.
Read more »
Perspective | There’s a persistent myth that you shouldn’t drink water while eating. You can disregard it.Perspective | Disregard that persistent myth: You can drink water while eating
Read more »
Faulkner rows back after 'boyfriend' post causes confusionAustralian cricketer James Faulkner caused confusion about his sexuality on soci...
Read more »
Perspective | Before I had kids, I vowed never to use baby talk. Here’s why I was wrong.In just a few sleepy months of intense immersion, I mastered the inflections, intonation, grammar and vocabulary of what many linguists consider a language proper.
Read more »
There's A Netflix Series Called 'Black Summer' That's Stressing Viewers Out, So I Watched It And Here's How It WentThere’s A New Zombie Show On Netflix Called “Black Summer,” I Watched And Here’s What It’s Like
Read more »
Perspective | Charlottesville is an enduring symbol. But of what? Biden gets it.I was Charlottesville's mayor. He’s right that it represents ‘a battle for the soul of this nation.’
Read more »
North Korea’s Kim to Appeal for Economic Relief at Summit With PutinNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un is expected to appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin for economic relief in talks meant to boost pressure on the Trump administration to soften its stance in negotiations over Pyongyang’s denuclearization.
Read more »