Nationals Still in Striking Distance of Braves; Division Odds Improve to +600
By Robert Duff in MLB Baseball
Updated: April 1, 2020 at 10:49 am EDTPublished:
- The Washington Nationals are 6.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East
- Washington trails by just five games in the loss column, though
- Sportsbooks list the Nationals at +600 to win the division
The 2019 Washington Nationals are like a reluctant kid in learn-to-swim classes. They just keep treading water.
Every time you think that they might be poised to make a move on the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves, the Nats shrivel up and let the opportunity escape them.
The Nationals currently sit 6.5 games behind the Braves. Washington is given +600 odds to overtake Atlanta in the NL Divisional odds.
2019 National League East Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Atlanta Braves | -400 |
| Washington Nationals | +600 |
| New York Mets | +1000 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +1400 |
| Miami Marlins | +100000 |
*Odds taken on 08/12/19.
Washington is only five games behind Atlanta in the loss column and still two up on the surging New York Mets.
Nationals Insecurity
Just past the midway mark of July, Washington took two of four games from the Braves at Atlanta. The Nats followed up by winning three of four from the Colorado Rockies. They’d moved to within four games of the Braves.
This, though, is not a team that embraces opportunity or prosperity.
Since then, Washington has dropped four of five series. That included falling twice during a three-game home set against the Braves.
They completed a nine-game road trip Sunday with a win over the New York Mets at Citi Field to conclude the journey with their heads barely above water. Washington went 5-4 on the trip.
The Nationals are a mediocre 15-13 since the All-Star Break. They aren’t exactly charging down the Braves.
About That Bullpen
The Detroit Tigers were the American League version of the Nationals not so long ago. Like Washington, they boasted a sensational starting rotation. Heck, one starter – Max Scherzer – was part of both rotations.
Between 2006-14, Detroit made the playoffs five times and played in two World Series, but never came close to winning it all, because the Tigers didn’t bother to invest in a bullpen.
The Nationals have now given up 166 runs this year from the 8th inning on. That’s a 6.57 ERA.
Great night for the Mets. All too familiar night for the Nationals.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) August 10, 2019
Sound familiar, Washington fans?
In Friday’s opener of the big three-game series against the Mets, Washington closer Sean Doolittle coughed up a 6-3 lead in the ninth and was walked off 7-6. Prior to Friday, the Mets had lost 187 consecutive games when down three runs in the ninth inning.
Washington owns an MLB-worst 6.07 bullpen ERA. Even if you were to discard the appalling 22.74 ERA of the departed Trevor Rosenthal, the Nats will still own an MLB-bottom 5.63 ERA. Nationals relievers have blown 22 of 52 save opportunities.
WATCH: Chuck breaks down last night's debate. #MTPDaily@ChuckTodd: “A lot of Democrats watched Biden last night the way I watch the Washington Nationals' bullpen — hoping it's good enough to save the game.. and geez, you're nervous every second until it's over.” pic.twitter.com/4d27jlUNZU
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) August 1, 2019
Even guys who earn their pay covering the national disgrace that resides in DC at the White House recognize that the Washington bullpen is a Nationals disgrace.
None But The Braves
Holding down the first NL Wild Card spot, the Nationals begin an important six-game homestand Monday against the Cincinnati Reds. That’s followed by three games with the Milwaukee Brewers, like the Reds a team in the Wild Card hunt.
This needs to be Washington’s focus. The old baseball adage is that you need a week’s worth of games to make up for one game in the standings. The Nats are 6.5 games out with seven weeks to play, so their division-winning window is closing fast.
| 70-50 | Overall Record | 62-55 |
| 32-25 | Home Record | 31-25 |
| 38-25 | Away Record | 31-30 |
| 37-32 | Record vs +.500 Teams | 29-37 |
| 647 | Runs Scored | 584 |
| 585 | Runs Allowed | 537 |
They have seven games left with Atlanta but would realistically need to go at least 5-2 in that stretch to have any chance. The Nationals play 17 of their last 45 games against Wild Card teams, 19 games against current playoff clubs and just 15 against teams with sub-.500 records.
The wisest move for Washington is forget about the division and lock in on locking down the Wild Card.
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
