Washington Nationals bullpen nears major league record for blown saves

The Washington Nationals bullpen has recorded 35 blown saves this season, placing the unit two away from matching the all-time single-season record set by the 2024 Chicago White Sox. The team relied heavily on a roster of inexperienced and low-cost relievers, with five of seven opening-day options having one year of service time or less. An inconsistent starting rotation exacerbated the situation, forcing the team to use an opener roughly 30 times and creating additional strain on middle and late-inning relief. Injuries to key arms including Poulin, Lovelady, Parker, and Waldichuk have further depleted the depth available to manager Blake Butera. Despite the ongoing bullpen struggles, the Nationals maintained a competitive offense throughout the summer and stayed above.500 until late July.

• 9:51 AMYahoo Sports — Nationals bullpen nearing an ugly record. Having a 'goldfish' memory helps.