The Dominant Max Scherzer Leads The Nationals Rotation

The Washington Nationals have one of the best starting rotations in all of baseball. Led by Max Scherzer, this rotation can go toe-to-toe with any other team’s top five. Scherzer is the unquestioned ace of the Nationals and is coming off another Cy Young-caliber season. In addition to Scherzer, the Nationals also have Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Tanner Roark, and Joe Ross. Strasburg is one of the most talented pitchers in the game and is coming off a season in which he pitched over 200 innings. Gonzalez is a three-time All-Star and Roark and Ross are both coming off seasons in which they pitched over 200 innings. This rotation is deep, talented, and experienced. They will be a huge reason why the Nationals are a contender once again in 2018.

1. The Dominant Max Scherzer Leads the Rotation

Max Scherzer has been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the last few years. He’s a three-time Cy Young Award winner and he’s coming off a season where he led the National League in strikeouts. He’s the ace of the Washington Nationals rotation and he’s the clear-cut #1 starter.

Scherzer is a workhorse who takes the ball every fifth day and gives his team a chance to win every time he takes the mound. He’s a strikeout machine who racks up plenty of strikeouts and doesn’t walk many batters. He’s also a very good hitter, which is a bonus.

The Nationals have a strong rotation from top to bottom, but Scherzer is the clear-cut #1 starter. He’s the ace of the staff and the leader of the rotation. He’s the go-to guy when the Nationals need a big win and he always delivers.

If the Nationals are going to make a run at the playoffs, they’ll need Scherzer to lead the way. He’s the best pitcher on the staff and he’s the one who the team will count on to get them big wins.

2. Scherzer’s Dominance on the Mound

The Nationals have one of the best rotations in baseball, and it all starts with Max Scherzer. The three-time Cy Young winner is coming off another dominant season, posting a 2.92 ERA and 1.03 WHIP while striking out 243 batters in just 182.2 innings.

But Scherzer is more than just the ace of the Nationals rotation; he’s the leader. He sets the tone for the entire pitching staff, and the rest of the rotation follows his lead.

The Nationals rotation is anchored by Scherzer, but it’s also filled with other talented pitchers. Stephen Strasburg, Patrick Corbin, and Anibal Sanchez are all quality starters who can give the Nationals a chance to win every time they take the mound.

But it all starts with Scherzer. He’s the ace of the staff, the leader of the rotation, and the key to the Nationals’ success.

3. The Nationals Rotation Following Scherzer

The Nationals have one of the best rotations in baseball, and it all starts with Max Scherzer. Scherzer is a perennial Cy Young candidate, and he’s coming off another dominant season in which he went 18-7 with a 2.53 ERA and 301 strikeouts. He’s the clear ace of this staff, and he’s followed by a trio of very good starters in Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, and Tanner Roark.

Strasburg had a bit of a down year in 2017, but he’s still a very good pitcher when he’s on. He went 10-12 with a 3.74 ERA last season, but he struck out 200 batters in just 175 innings. He’s got electric stuff, and when he’s on, he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball.

Gonzalez was also a bit down in 2017, but he’s still a very good pitcher. He went 11-11 with a 4.57 ERA, but he struck out 158 batters in just 168 innings. He’s a lefty, so he provides a nice change of pace from the right-handed Scherzer and Strasburg.

Roark is the most underrated pitcher on this staff. He doesn’t have the strikeout numbers of the other three, but he’s a very solid starter. He went 13-11 with a 4.67 ERA last season, and he’s a guy who can eat up innings and keep the Nationals in games.

The Nationals have one of the best rotations in baseball, and it all starts with Max Scherzer. Scherzer is a perennial Cy Young candidate, and he’s coming off another dominant season in which he went 18-7 with a 2.53 ERA and 301 strikeouts. He’s the clear ace of this staff, and he’s followed by a trio of very good starters in Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, and Tanner Roark.

Strasburg had a bit of a down year in 2017, but he’s still a very good pitcher when he’s on. He went 10-12 with a 3.74 ERA last season, but he struck out 200 batters in just 175 innings. He’s got electric stuff,

4. The Rest of the National Rotation

The Washington Nationals have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. Their ace, Max Scherzer, is a dominant force. He’s a three-time Cy Young Award winner and he’s coming off a season in which he led the majors in strikeouts. The rest of the Nationals rotation is no slouch either. Stephen Strasburg is a former No. 1 overall pick who’s a two-time All-Star. Patrick Corbin is a lefty who was an All-Star last year. Anibal Sanchez is a veteran who’s been around the block. And Erick Fedde is a young pitcher with upside.

The Nationals’ rotation is so good that they had to leave out Gio Gonzalez, a three-time All-Star, from their playoff roster. That’s how deep this team is.

The Nationals will need their pitching staff to be at its best if they want to win the World Series. They have the talent to do it. It’s just a matter of putting it all together.