After a tumultuous six-year stint with the Washington Nationals, Patrick Corbin's time is coming to an end as he prepares for his final start. Once celebrated for his vital role in the team's 2019 World Series victory, Corbin has struggled immensely in recent seasons, failing to replicate his early success. His stellar postseason performance and impressive first year in Washington stand in stark contrast to his dismal subsequent years, where he became one of the worst pitchers in baseball. With a disappointing 2024 season continuing the trend, fans reflect on a legacy that now hangs predominantly on that championship run.
Corbin signed a six-year deal with the Nationals before the 2019 season, and along with Tanner Rainey, they are the only two remaining players from the Nats' 2019 World Series team. Including today's game and the postseason, Corbin will start his 173rd game today in a Nats' uni. But it was his relief appearance in Game 7 of the World Series that earned him a win that Nats' fans will remember most. Those 3.0 scoreless innings in an early relief of Max Scherzer to hold the deficit at 2-0 until Howie Kendrick's heroics was the difference. Corbin's checkered record in a Nats' uniform can be viewed through multiple lenses — but the Nats don't win a World Series without Corbin. That $140 million contract is probably money the Nats were happy to pay for the front-end of it. Always a Nats' World Series champ.
While Corbin's recent performance has been disappointing, his 2019 postseason heroics, particularly in Game 7 of the World Series, create a complex legacy. Many fans recognize the critical contributions he made during that championship run, even as they criticize his overall performance in subsequent seasons.
Corbin's Struggles
The Nationals' offense has been struggling in recent games, scoring zero runs in three consecutive games, and their scoreless streak has reached 31 innings. The Nats' starting pitching has held the Royals to only one run in the series, so Corbin has an opportunity to go out with a win. Despite Corbin's recent struggles, the Nationals need to go 3-1 to surpass their 2023 win total, and that is now looking very bleak.
The team's struggles are evident in their overall pitching performance. The Nats starting pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.41, ranking 24th in MLB. Their starting pitchers have struggled to find consistency, leading to a decline in overall team performance. This decline in pitching performance can be attributed to a lack of control and a rise in walks by Corbin in recent years. The once reliable left-hander has struggled to find his command, leading to an increase in runs allowed and a drop in his overall effectiveness.
Analyzing the Pitching Performance
Here is a look at the Nats starting pitchers and their ERA's:
Starting Pitcher Ranking
- No. 5 Starter: Patrick Corbin 5.58
- No. 4 Starter: Mitchell Parker 4.29
- No. 3 Starter: Jake Irvin 4.22
- No. 2 Starter: DJ Herz 4.16
- No. 1 Starter: MacKenzie Gore 4.04
Despite the struggles of Corbin and other starting pitchers, the Nationals have still managed to maintain a positive WAR among their players. Your top Washington Nationals on the FanGraphs’ WAR leaderboard has MacKenzie Gore at the top at 2.9, just ahead of Luis Garcia Jr. at +2.7. Jacob Young is at +2.5, CJ Abrams whose season has ended is at +1.8 WAR. There are 29 Nats’ players in positive WAR with another 6.
The Nationals are hoping that their young talent can help them turn things around in the near future. The team has been criticized for their offensive struggles, but manager Dave Martinez has offered some insight into the team's approach.
An Offensive Breakdown
“We’re fouling off a lot of balls we should be hitting. We’ve got to start putting those balls in play.”“I can tell them to go ahead and try to hit home runs. Swing for the fences. That ain’t going to work. Just get a good pitch to hit and try to drive the ball.”
Despite the team's struggles, the Nationals remain optimistic about the future. They are hoping that the team can turn things around next season.
Looking Ahead to the Future
Following his last game, Corbin is likely to enter free agency, raising questions about his future in Major League Baseball. The Nationals may seek to rebuild, moving on from high-cost contracts like his and focusing on younger talent. Patrick Corbin is a poignant reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in baseball. His legacy may ultimately be defined not by his struggles in recent years, but by the pivotal role he played in delivering the Nationals their first World Series title.
The Washington Nationals, despite their struggles, are looking to rebuild and are hoping to bring a championship back to Washington, D.C. Only time will tell what the future holds for Corbin and the Nationals, but one thing is certain: Corbin's legacy will be forever intertwined with the 2019 World Series championship. His final start will be a bittersweet moment, but it will also be a chance to reflect on his journey with the Nationals.
It has been an exciting journey for Corbin in Washington D.C., and this final start will be an emotional one for the team and its fans. The Nationals will look to finish the season on a high note, sending Corbin off with a win and a memorable farewell.
