2016 Washington Nationals: Season Recap

2016 Washington Nationals: Season Recap

2016 Washington Nationals: Reason for Optimism

For the 3rd time in a span of 5 years the Washington Nationals made the playoffs once again, and the 2016 Washington Nationals continued to prove to the rest of Major League Baseball that they were a consistent, well-rounded team capable of giving opponents reason for concern. For Nationals fans who followed their team closely, this was a season that offered plenty of reason for optimism, as several key elements of the roster came together well.

A Dominant Regular Season

The 2016 Washington Nationals finished 95-67, winning the National League East division by 8 games over the New York Mets. The Nationals went 12-7 against the Mets in head-to-head play, finishing 50-31 at home and 45-36 on the road. Washington fared well on a monthly basis, going 16-7 in April, 16-14 in May, 16-11 in June, 13-12 in July, 17-11 in August and 15-12 in September. In blowout games decided by 5 or more runs, the Nationals went 30-10.

Standout Performances at the Plate

Second baseman Daniel Murphy signed a 3-year, $37.5 million contract with the Nationals on December 24, 2015, and Murphy rewarded the team with a great regular season, batting .347 with 25 home runs and 104 RBIs off 184 hits, 47 doubles and 5 triples. Catcher Wilson Ramos batted .307 with 22 home runs and 80 RBIs off 148 hits and 25 doubles. Third baseman Anthony Rendon batted .270 with 20 home runs and 85 RBIs off 153 hits, 38 doubles and 12 stolen bases. Right fielder Bryce Harper had 24 home runs and 86 RBIs off 123 hits, 24 doubles and 21 stolen bases.

Shortstop Danny Espinosa had 24 home runs and 72 RBIs off 108 hits, 15 doubles and 9 stolen bases. Left fielder Jayson Werth had 21 home runs and 69 RBIs off 128 hits and 28 doubles. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman had 15 home runs, 93 hits and 18 doubles in 115 games. Center fielder Ben Revere had 76 hits, 9 doubles, 7 triples and 14 stolen bases in 103 games. Utility player Trea Turner had 13 home runs, 105 hits, 14 doubles, 8 triples and 33 stolen bases in 73 games. Center fielder Michael Taylor had 51 hits, 11 doubles and 14 stolen bases in 76 games.

Strength on the Mound

Starting Rotation

Starting pitcher Max Scherzer went 20-7 with 284 strikeouts and a 2.96 ERA, recording 1 complete game. Scherzer was impressive enough throughout the regular season to win the National League Cy Young Award. Tanner Roark went 16-10 with 172 strikeouts and a 2.83 ERA. Stephen Strasburg went 15-4 with 183 strikeouts and a 3.60 ERA. Joe Ross went 7-5 with 93 strikeouts and a 3.43 ERA. Reynaldo Lopez went 5-3 in 6 games started.

Bullpen

Closer Jonathan Papelbon had 19 saves. Relief pitcher Blake Treinen went 4-1 with 1 save and a 2.28 ERA. Shawn Kelley went 3-2 with 7 saves, 80 strikeouts and a 2.64 ERA. Felipe Rivero had 1 save. Yusmeiro Petit had 1 save.

Awards and Honors

Plenty of awards and honors came the way of the Nationals, as Bryce Harper was chosen by the fans to be a starting outfielder for the National League in the 2016 MLB All-Star Game. Daniel Murphy, Wilson Ramos and Stephen Strasburg all made the NL All-Star Team as reserves, though Strasburg pulled out of the roster and Max Scherzer took his spot instead. Murphy won the Players’ Choice Award while also winning a Silver Slugger, and Ramos won a Silver Slugger as well. Anthony Rendon was named the MLB Comeback Player of the Year.

An Early Postseason Exit

Unfortunately for the Nationals, they continued the trend of early postseason exits, falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series 3 games to 2. Down 1-0 in the series, the Nationals won Game 2 on October 9 at Nationals Park by a score of 5-2. In the top of the 1st inning, shortstop Corey Seager hit a solo home run, and in the top of the 3rd, right fielder Josh Reddick added an RBI single. Washington answered in one of the more unlikely ways, as catcher José Lobatón crushed a 3-run home run in the bottom of the 4th. Daniel Murphy had an RBI single in the bottom of the 5th, and another in the bottom of the 7th.

The Nationals then took a 2-games-to-1 series lead by winning Game 3 on October 10 at Dodger Stadium by a score of 8-3. In the bottom of the 1st inning, Seager had an RBI double, but it didn’t take long for Washington to respond. In the top of the 3rd, Jayson Werth had an RBI double, Bryce Harper had an RBI single, and Anthony Rendon capped it off with a 2-run home run. In the bottom of the 5th, catcher Carlos Ruiz tried to spark a Los Angeles rally with a 2-run home run, but no rally came of it. In the top of the 9th, Werth hit a solo home run, Ryan Zimmerman had a 2-run double, and pinch hitter Chris Heisey added a sacrifice fly to score Zimmerman.

A Storied Franchise Still Building

In the 13 years the franchise has played in Washington, D.C., the Nationals have already experienced a greater degree of success than the franchise ever saw while in Montreal, Quebec as the Expos. Though the Expos made it to the NLCS in 1981, the Nationals have made it to the NLDS in 2012, 2014 and 2016. With a blend of unique talent and personalities coming of age, the 2016 Washington Nationals appeared to be an exciting team to watch going forward.