Nationals Shift Bullpen Strategy, Using Top Arms Earlier in Close Games
Manager Butera is deploying Ribalta and Beeter in the 6th and 7th innings of tight games rather than saving them for the back end.
Nationals manager Butera has adopted a strategy of using his best relievers earlier in close games to keep deficits manageable. Ribalta threw a scoreless 6th inning and Beeter followed with a scoreless 7th. Despite the strong relief work, Washington still trails 1-0 and faces uncertainty in the 8th and 9th innings. The shift reflects a deliberate change in how Butera sequences his bullpen in low-scoring contests.
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