Washington Nationals: Matt Albers making strong case to be closer
By Tim Haberin
Of the Washington Nationals’ in-house closer options, Matt Albers has come out of nowhere to earn save chances. Should they continue calling on him in the ninth?
The Washington Nationals entered spring training not quite sure who their closer would be. Shawn Kelley, Blake Treinen and youngster Koda Glover seemed like the lead options, with Treinen being given the initial nod near the end of camp. Certainly no one expected veteran journeyman Matt Albers to be pitching many high-leverage innings this season.
A month and a half later, and the Nats still don’t have their bullpen formula sorted out. Five different pitchers have recorded saves so far, and nobody currently has more than three. Treinen converted three of his first four chances, but hasn’t logged a save since April 7. Why? It might have something to do with the 8.10 ERA and 2.22 WHIP he’s managed over 16.2 innings.
Kelley, who did a nice job before Washington acquired Mark Melancon last year, has struggled as well. He’s blown two of five save opportunities and owns a 7.15 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 11.1 frames. Glover has fared better, posting a 3.38 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 10.2 innings while nailing down two of three saves.
Lefty Enny Romero has also received a look, though he’s only converted one of his three chances to go with a 4.86 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 16.2 frames.
The surprise story of the Nationals’ bullpen thus far might also be its best bet at closer for the moment. The 34-year-old Albers has been nothing short of masterful through 14.2 innings. He’s allowed just one run on seven hits and a walk, good for a microscopic 0.61 ERA and 0.55 WHIP. He has also struck out 13 in that span.
The Nats’ last two saves have gone to Albers. He secured the first of his career on May 5, and although he blew his next opportunity two days later, he rebounded yesterday in the second game of a doubleheader against the Phillies to collect his second.
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Albers doesn’t look like your typical closer. After posting a horrendous 6.31 ERA and 1.68 WHIP in 51.1 innings for the White Sox last year, few thought Albers would even make the team, much less play a key role for the Nationals. After all, he was only in spring training with an invite on a minor league deal.
He’s proving everyone wrong right now by pitching better than he has at any point in his 12-year major league career. Is this run bound to last? Well, he’s definitely been benefiting from a generous .167 BABIP and perfect 100 percent strand rate, both of which will regress over time. But his 2.74 FIP is still a fine number, so even though Albers almost surely won’t be this dominant for the entire season, there’s reason to believe he can still be effective.
Manager Dusty Baker hasn’t named a full-time closer since the beginning of the season, electing to go with a matchup approach more recently. While the bullpen headaches haven’t hurt the Nats very much at all so far – they own the NL’s best record at 24-13 – it’s reassuring to go into the postseason knowing exactly who you’ll be calling on in the ninth inning (or earlier).
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It’s hard to see Albers being that guy at the end of the year, regardless of how well he’s performing now. But for the time being, with a lack of clearly better options, it makes sense to see how long the Nationals can ride this wave.
Maybe 24-year-old Glover will eventually claim the role as some anticipated. A midseason trade for an established closer still seems inevitable. For now, however, Albers seems like the go-to choice in Washington.