Roster construction

[rileyn]

In playoff games started by Scherzer, Strasburg, and Jordan Zimmermann, the Nats are 0-7.  0-7!!  And that includes one brilliantly pitched game by each of them.  It seems clear that strong starting pitching will win regular season games, but really doesn't mean much in the post-season.  Our bullpen seems deep going into next year (who knows if our manager will use our best ones in crucial moments), but what about the lineup?  Eaton replacing Werth seems to be the only change we will see next year.  Is that enough?  Do these guys have the DNA needed to win in October? 

Are you happy with another NL East title next year, with an early October flame out?  Or, do we need to do something more radical?

[NatsAllThe Way]

Sadly, it has become apparent to me that if you want your team to have success in the playoffs you need to be rooting for another team.

[imref]

i'd still argue that this is the best Nats team we've ever put on the field, at least on paper.  But with the majority of them hitting below .200, and two starters hitting .000 in the playoffs, including your leadoff hitter, you aren't going to win games.

I don't know the answer.  So far it seems it has just been a series of bad breaks.  The Cubs aren't hitting much better, but they are getting the lucky drops, errors, etc.

[varoadking]

i'd still argue that this is the best Nats team we've ever put on the field, at least on paper.  But with the majority of them hitting below .200, and two starters hitting .000 in the playoffs, including your leadoff hitter, you aren't going to win games.

I don't know the answer.  So far it seems it has just been a series of bad breaks.  The Cubs aren't hitting much better, but they are getting the lucky drops, errors, etc.

So it's a crapshoot, and we've been rolling snake-eyes for 4 postseasons?

[imref]

So it's a crapshoot, and we've been rolling snake-eyes for 4 postseasons?

It sure seems that way. 

[HalfSmokes]

same excuse has worked for Rizzo since 2012, why change it now

[Ray D]

i'd still argue that this is the best Nats team we've ever put on the field, at least on paper. 

And it's all on paper. I'm starting to think the team really stinks.  Lots of inflated numbers from beating up on bad teams and bad pitching.

[natsarl]

i'd still argue that this is the best Nats team we've ever put on the field, at least on paper.  But with the majority of them hitting below .200, and two starters hitting .000 in the playoffs, including your leadoff hitter, you aren't going to win games.

I don't know the answer.  So far it seems it has just been a series of bad breaks.  The Cubs aren't hitting much better, but they are getting the lucky drops, errors, etc.

Spot on.  We can't expect to win the series with our offense the way it is.  And I completely agree with your last point - the Cubs offense has been pretty bad too but they've either gotten the lucky drop, made some nice plays in the outfield (2 nice catches yesterday saved a total of 3 runs), etc

[imref]

And it's all on paper. I'm starting to think the team really stinks.  Lots of inflated numbers from beating up on bad teams and bad pitching.

as others pointed out, we did pretty well against teams outside of the East.

[Optics]

What more can be done? We had four .300 hitters in the regular season. Turner was close and was gonna lead the league in steals if not for an injury. Okay maybe Werth and Weiters aren't very good, but how many teams have 8(or 9 in the AL case)top notch hitters?

Like the Caps, the Nats are just mental midgets. Something in this town breeds losers.

[mdnatsfan]

In four playoff collapses (embarrassments?) -- yes I'm counting this year already-- pitching has NEVER been the problem. (well a little bit one time).

[Slateman]

In four playoff collapses (embarrassments?) -- yes I'm counting this year already-- pitching has NEVER been the problem. (well a little bit one time).

Really? Nationals had an ERA of over 6 in 2012 against the Cards and an ERA of 4.00 last year.