The Washington Nationals have the best offense in baseball but no one to ensure it’s enough. Once they whiffed on acquiring a closer this offseason, the Nationals turned to internal options. Blake Treinen tried for two tempestuous weeks in April before his audition ended, and Shawn Kelley and Koda Glover were elected co-closers by manager Dusty Baker.
This season, the three quasi-closers have a 6.52 ERA and two trips to the disabled list between them. Washington’s bullpen, with the third-worst ERA in the majors (5.33) and eight blown saves in 19 chances, lost late leads Sunday in both games of a doubleheader.