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Cincinnati Reds battle Washington Nationals for Wild Card positioning

ByScott Boyken|
CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 09: Aristides Aquino #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a two-run home run in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park on August 9, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 09: Aristides Aquino #44 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a two-run home run in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park on August 9, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 09: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals rounds first after hitting a 2-run home run in the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on August 09, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 09: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals rounds first after hitting a 2-run home run in the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field on August 09, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Washington’s offense is doing damage

In year’s past, it was impossible to discuss the  Washington Nationals (62-55) without mentioning the exploits of outfielder Bryce Harper. Once Harper signed his free agent deal with the Philadelphia Phillies before the season, many wondered if his production could be replaced. Needless to say, the Nationals have more than met the challenge.

Averaging 4.97 runs a game, Washington has posted a .334 on-base percentage as a team, which ranks third in the National League. Much of that credit can be attributed to outfielder Juan Soto and third baseman Anthony Rendon. Soto and Rendon each place in the Top 10 in the senior circuit in OBP with .402 and .399 marks respectively.

Throughout his career, Rendon has been one of the most underrated players in baseball. It appears that much of the country is discovering what fans in the beltway already know. Rendon currently sits within the Top 10 in the National League in RBIs, slugging, OBP, OPS, batting average and runs.

You can’t mention the Nationals without discussing starting pitchers Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. These two have dominating opponents for years and 2019 has been no different. However, Reds Country can breath a little knowing Mad Max will miss the series due a back injury that has landed him on the injured list.

Strasburg has put together a typical Strasburg-like season. Sporting a league leading 14-5 record, he also resides in the Top 10 among NL hurlers in innings, strikeouts and WHIP. The Reds will get a look at him in the series finale. More on that later.

As sure as the sun sets in the west, the Washington bullpen is a hot mess. For whatever reason, as many times as they have tried to address their bullpen woes over the years, the Nationals just can’t get it right. The Washington bullpen is 15-28 with an embarrassing 6.04 ERA. Compiling a horrendous 1.534 WHIP, the relief corps has allowed 377 hits and 158 walks in just 348.2 innings.

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