Washington Nationals bullpen uncharacteristically strong

The Washington Nationals typically begin the season with a weak bullpen, but that is not the case this year. How will it impact the team?

At this time last season, the Washington Nationals bullpen was an enormous question mark. Mid-season acquisition Mark Melancon had bolted for San Francisco, leaving the Nats without a proven closer.

After falling short in the Kenley Jansen sweepstakes, the Nats decided to address their closer need in-house. They were lacking a proven closer, but they had plenty of quality relievers and most people assumed they would be alright.

Boy, were we wrong. Blake Treinen won the closer’s role in Spring Training, but pitched his way out of it very quickly. Shawn Kelley…