One of the key issues last year for the Nats during the season, besides hitting, was their depth in the bullpen. Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen were always strong options, but the rest of the pen was highly unreliable. Hopefully that’s all changing..
If the spring is any indication, the Nationals should have a few more very strong options for relief besides Clippard and Storen. Brad Lidge seems to be healthy with 11 strikeouts in only 8 innings pitched and a 1.13 ERA. He could end up being a huge veteran addition and is a guy that’s been there.
The real story for me, though, has been Henry Rodriguez on the mound. I’ve loved this guy for a while now (hard not to love a guy that hits triple digits on the gun). Henry Rodriguez kind of represented how the rest of our bullpen went last year. Great at times, but largely inconsistent. Well, in 9 innings pitched so far this spring, Rodriguez has only allowed 3 hits, 0 runs, has only walked 2 batters, and opponents are hitting a combined .111 off of him. From all accounts he is hitting his spots which, with the stuff he has, makes him virtually unhittable.
How the Yanks doing this year? Let’s get down to brass tax and give the people what they REALLY want to hear.
- The 1%