The Washington Nationals Pitching Staff Could Take Them Deep into Postseason

The Washington Nationals are flat out legit, and they have been for the last couple years. Regardless, they have struggled to make a deep run in the postseason. This year could be a different story. They already clinched the NL East a few weeks back, and trail only the LA Dodgers for the best record in the entire National League.

Why are they a contender? Well, between their rotation, their bullpen, and their offense, they can beat any team in this league. They have all the tools to be a contender this postseason. Bryce Harper is finally returning from the DL which will be a huge boost in the heart of their lineup.

Let's take a look at their pitching staff.

The Staff

The Nats 1-2-3 combo is arguably one of the best in the big leagues. Led by five time All-Star and two time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer, followed by Stephen Strasburg and Gio Gonzalez, all three of these guys have ERA's below 3, which is outstanding and is a big reason the Nats have a team ERA of 3.83. Let's start with Scherzer. The thirty-three-year-old brings an amazing energy to the mound every time he pitches and just dominates hitters with a mid to high 90's heater and a wipeout slider. Let's take a look at the numbers. Scherzer currently boasts a 2.55 ERA, and has struck out an astounding 263 hitters in just 197.1 innings. He's currently the favorite for the 2017 Cy Young, and there isn't really a lot of doubt that he will take home the award. Here's the thing that is very interesting and shows how good this rotation really is. Scherzer, Strasburg, and Gio Gonzalez are all in the Cy Young race. How often do you see three starters from the same team battling for a Cy Young award? Not very often. That's a testament to how talented this staff is. As for Strasburg and Gonzalez, they both respectively have 2.68 ERA's. Scherzer will most likely win the award because he has been the most healthy pitcher in the NL this year, and has the most consistent numbers across the board. Clayton Kershaw was a serious candidate, but he went down with a back injury and was on the shelf and missed quite a few starts, so the award looks like it will be Scherzer's.

Tanner Roark, the fourth starter in the Nats rotation, hasn't put up amazing numbers like his fellow staff members. Roark has a 4.41 ERA in 30 starts this year, but he's put up some solid strikeout numbers, sitting down 161 hitters in 175.2 innings. Overall though, this rotation has been spectacular.

The one weakness of this staff earlier in the year was their bullpen, and having that guy who could close out games. Blake Treinen struggled in that position, and ultimately the Nats made a big trade in July to acquire left-handed reliever Sean Doolittle from the Oakland A's, and sending Treinen and a couple other players back in return to Oakland.

It looks like Sean Doolittle was the answer as the new closer. Since coming over from the A's, Doolittle is 21 for 21 in save opportunities, holding opposing batters to a .194 average and boasting a 1.86 ERA. That was honestly the only weakness of this staff. Their relievers have been great. Guys like Ryan Madson, Enny Romero, and Matt Albers have been legit when called upon, whether it's been a short role or a long relief role.

The entire staff has looked nothing but good.

The offense of this Nats team could be the best in the entire big leagues, even though they have really struggled in September.

The Offense

When this lineup is healthy, it would be scary to any pitcher in the big leagues. Five of their nine starters are all hitting .300 or better, and they have a team average of .265, which ranks them third in the majors, behind just Colorado and Houston.

September has been a struggle for the Nats though, where they have hit just .227 as a team. Being without Bryce Harper has hurt them, but the twenty-four-year old is now returning from the Disabled List so hopefully he can add a punch to a struggling lineup.

If you look around their infield it is pretty special. Anthony Rendon, Trea Turner, Daniel Murphy, and Ryan Zimmerman. They may be struggling with the bats right now, but their pitching staff has been there all year for them.

The Nationals have been picking it up as of late, having won three straight. Hopefully, they can turn around their offense just in time heading into playoff baseball.

Even if they still struggle to score as many runs as they consistently did earlier in the season, I still believe they have a very good chance to go deep into the playoffs thanks to an unreal starting rotation and bullpen.