So what did we learn after this weekend’s Battle of the Beltways series between the Nationals and Orioles? Well, there’s a reason Baltimore is 14-31. The Birds just find ways to lose. They did it Saturday, blowing a 6-3 lead. They did it Sunday when reliever Alfredo Simon stepped on first base awkwardly in the 10th inning and had to leave the game. Replacement Cla Meredith promptly gave up the game-winning homer. You don’t get more snakebit than that.
But while the Orioles ponder the future of manager Dave Trembley, the Nats head west for a 10-game road trip in a confident state of mind. No better reason than the bullpen, the bane of their existence last season and a rock of stability lately.
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Yes, closer Matt Capps blew his first save of the season Sunday. Oh, no — he’s only 16 of 17 now. But with the promotion of rookie phenom Drew Storen — and veteran Doug Slaten (1-0, 1.69 ERA) earlier this month — the Nats appear to have a bullpen they can trust more often than not. And that is a huge boost to a team that really believes it can finish above .500.
Since Tuesday, the bullpen has allowed seven earned runs in 23 2/3 innings (2.66 ERA) and has a WHIP of 1.01. Not perfect but plenty good enough for the Nats.
