The 2015 season started off brightly for the Washington Nationals. Hope was in the air for them to make it all the way to the World Series. It was a make-or-break season, and they were all on board for what was supposed to be a fantastic ride.
Unfortunately, things haven’t gone according to plan.
Where did it all fall apart?
Pitching Woes
During the offseason the Nationals signed ace Max Scherzer to a seven-year, $210 million deal that was a bright spot for the team. Bryce Harper asked jokingly upon hearing about the ace signing, “Where’s my ring?” implying the Nationals were World Series bound.
And why wouldn’t he think just that? The Nationals boasted one of the best starting rotations in the National League. Along with Scherzer they also had Strasburg, Jordan Zimmerman, Gio Gonzalez and Doug Fister. On paper the Nationals seemingly had the best rotation in baseball, but as we know games aren’t played on paper.
Scherzer had started off the season really well, posting great number along with his no-hitter early in the summer. But as the season churned into the dog days of summer he returned down to earth and his ERA slowly came up to a 2.44.
Jordan Zimmerman has been the only consistent starter, giving the Nationals a chance to win every time he is on the mound.
Strasburg looks good when he is not hurting, but he has been hurting his whole career.
Gio Gonzalez hasn’t been consistent whatsoever despite looking good on paper (9-4, 3.50 ERA) and Doug Fister has performed so poorly that with the call-up of rookie Joe Ross, they moved him to the bullpen.
Speaking of the bullpen, which needed help as well, skipper Mike Rizzo traded for closer Jonathan Papplebon. Their original closer Drew Storen used to be one of the their bright spots back in the bullpen but was having a shaky season. So the trade for Papplebon made sense. But seeing as the Nationals weren’t winning to many games he wasn’t getting much play time.
A slew of injuries
As for their batting, well lets say they haven’t been producing as much as many had hoped or had predicted when the season started.
Due to injuries to key players—outfielders Jayson Werth and Denard Span, infielders Anthony Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman—they haven’t been producing much offensively. Even with Bryce Harper and Yunel Escobar hitting decently, as a team the Nats bats have been much more quiet than in previous seasons.
Especially quiet of late is star shortstop Ian Desmond. The only Nats’ player, might I add, to be a part of the Expos organization as well. His numbers all across the board are down from his career averages, not to mention his defense is shaky as well. He is playing out the last year of his contract, which many believe has gotten to him.
There is still time for a turnaround
As it stands, the Nationals are in second place in the National League East, four games behind the division-leading New York Mets. Starting tomorrow they host the Mets and play them a total of six more times before the season ends, so it will be fun to watch and see how this plays out. They also sit 7 games behind the Cubs in the Wild Card standings.
Despite all the disappointment this year, the Nationals—with their injuries and pitching woes—do still have a chance to take down the Mets and win the NL East division.
But Bryce Harper and the gang may need a little luck to just that.