You have to hand it to the Washington Nationals. As of September 4, the all-time record for blown-saves in a season was 37, set by the horrifically bad 2014 Chicago White Sox. But, when the Nationals saw they had 35 blown saves with three weeks to go in the season, they didn’t shirk their responsibility. They didn’t shy away from the challenge. They met it head on. They ran toward disaster. They blew that September 4 game, giving up a three run home run to the Dodgers’ Tommy Edman. That was 36. The next night, Mookie Betts’ three-run homer tied the record. 

That “Thump. Thump. Thump.” Sound you hear is Nationals’ Manager Blake Butera bashing his forehead into a cinderblock wall. And that was before the third and final game of the series -a seesaw affair that had the Nationals comfortably ready to lose in the 8th inning with a 5-4 lead. Will Dion made it dramatic at least, waiting until two outs to give up a single to Alex Call. Dion then walked Edman (who has been the spark the previously-struggling Dodgers have desperately needed). That brought up…really? Betts again? 

Yep. 

As the ball landed 384 feet away, Betts was rounding first and the Dodgers were celebrating a chance at their 41st comeback win of the year. James Woods led off with a walk from Edgardo Henriquez. But Dylan Crews, Abimelec Ortiz, and CJ Abrams then all participated in historical failure as they went down in order. 

38!

It really is a bizarre stat. The 38th blown-save loss left Washington 67-76. The average for MLB teams that night was 14 blown saves. If they were even average bullpen-wise, they would be 91-54. 

But is it really that simple? Is it all the bullpen’s fault. 

The answer is…no.

Starting pitching and quality innings really is important. The fact that Washington starters average just 4.4 innings/start starts moving the blame finger more toward the starters and more toward the General Manager, Anirudh Kilambi. Starters are also leaving games with more runners on base than 26 teams. Relievers lead the league in inherited runners being allowed to score. One school of thought says the head-banging Butera has done his job. His team has been in a position to win a close ball game 72 times. In only 34 of those has his team held on to win. The other school of thought says Butera’s hook is too quick and he should allow his starters to work themselves out of jams. 

It would also seem to reason that the coaching staff has done a solid job getting the Nationals ready for the opposing starters. The team has been great getting ahead, but has been lousy at rebounding after the bullpen has given up another lead. That would indicate hitters are not feasting on relief pitching like most teams do. When losing after the seventh inning, they are one and 57. 

It is worth noting that the bullpen is pitching more innings than just about any other team. Washington may be getting ahead, but it’s tied for 28th in quality starts. But, it’s 13th in starter earned-run average. 

The case builds from there against the bullpen. With their poor performance, these are the overall numbers for the whole staff:

Sixth-worst in Strikeouts. Sixth-most in walks. Fourth most in hit batsman, 199 HRs (third most behind Chicago and Sacramento). Third-most earned runs. Fourth worst 1.47 in WHIP for relievers. .263 batting average against for relievers. In the last 10 games, the Nationals’ bullpen has given up 43 runs. 

Overworked? Or overmatched? The Milwaukee Brewers lead the major leagues with relief endings pitched: which is two innings more than the Nationals. As of September 11, the Brewers have 12 more saves and 189 fewer runs allowed by their bullpen. 

There is just no getting around it. Seventeen pitchers have blown at least one game. This bullpen is historically awful at saving blown saves. Clayton Beeter (4.50 ERA) has seven of them. Mitchell Parker (6.58 ERA) has five. Tom Cosgrove (7.71 ERA) has three. It’s not just them. Seven others were given the ball in desperation at least once and also coughed up the lead. It’s like a virus. Sure there are some solid relievers, Dion included. But due to bad luck, bad drafting, bad trading, bad whatever…there are enough of the Nationals relievers who are just not good at saving the day…or the game…which makes them all part of something that is historically bad.