After yet another implosion, the status quo is not acceptable in the Nationals bullpen
Today’s loss might have been the most frustrating of the season for the Washington Nationals. It had a lot of familiar patterns to other Nationals losses. There were outs on the base paths, including an inexplicable stolen base attempt by Keibert Ruiz. However, the biggest issue is still the bullpen.
After MacKenzie Gore went six innings and allowed four runs in an unlucky performance where everything seemed to drop for the Fish, the Nats were still in the game. It was a 4-3 game when Jorge Lopez entered the game in the bottom of the seventh.
However, by the time the eighth inning was over, it was an insurmountable 11-3 deficit. Jorge Lopez had an off game, allowing a three run home run to Georgetown Prep graduate Matt Mervis. However, Lopez had been fairly reliable up to that point. His velocity has been down this season, so that will be something to monitor.
The biggest problem and a player who should be on a tight leash is Lucas Sims. As has been the case numerous times this season, Sims was just uncompetitive today. He gave up two hits and walked three in a disastrous four run outing that brought his season ERA to 12.79.
That is nearly Trevor Rosenthal levels of bad. The Nationals need to cut bait with the right hander that has had 10 disastrous appearances. There are simply better options. We saw Cole Henry who replaced him looking much more comfortable out there. The Nationals need to admit defeat and give some young arms a chance. We know that Sims is not the guy, why not test out some other guys.
Hunter Harvey and Robert Garcia, two of the better Nats relievers in recent years were waiver pickups. A lot of the best bullpen arms come out of nowhere and just need to be given a chance. Right now we have a lot of known commodities, but they just aren’t performing. Most of our guys have longer track records than the Marlins relievers, but aren’t getting the job done as well as the Marlins guys.
A lot of this comes back to the offseason. Yet again, Mike Rizzo failed to build a competitive bullpen. Even when the Nats were winning NL East titles and World Series crowns, it felt like the bullpen always had to be patched together midseason because the original plan failed.
Outside of Kyle Finnegan, nobody should be feeling too comfortable right now. The Nationals need to find arms, whether they are inside the organization or outside of it.
This bullpen disaster also provides opportunity for some guys. It is the perfect chance for guys like Jackson Rutledge and Cole Henry to establish themselves as big leaguers. The road has been winding for both of those guys and they have failed as starters, but now is their chance.
The bullpen as currently constructed is a disaster and needs change. However, that change could also give guys second chances and the opportunity to make something of themselves. Young, hungry guys should be replacing the likes of Lucas Sims and Colin Poche. The bullpen has been a disaster since day one of the reason, and it is time to change things up now.