Over the years, Washington has been dealt meltdown, after meltdown, after meltdown. From Game 5 of the 2012 NLDS, to Game 2 of the 2014 NLDS and Game 5 of the 2017 NLDS, the bullpen has always been the team’s Achilles heel.
However, during the 2010s, Washington had the offensive firepower to overcome this setback. In a season full of heartbreak and disappointment, the Nats bullpen continues to stand out for its issues. At the start of the year, Brad Hand and Jeremy Jeffress were brought in to join Daniel Hudson, Kyle Finnegan, Tanner Rainey, and Will Harris in what was supposed to be a stout relief core.