Washington Nationals: Drew Storen's Absence Makes Us Realize His True Value

The Washington Nationals have been without closer Drew Storen for the entire month of April while he's been recovering from elbow surgery.

In his place, the Nationals have used a closer-by-commitee situation, with former All-Star closer Brad Lidge and young fireballer Henry Rodriguez getting most of the opportunities.

The team was atop the entire National League with a 14-5 record prior to this weekend's series against the Dodgers.

Now, they are 14-8 and in a three-way tie for second place in the National League with the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals.

The Dodgers now own the top spot with a 16-6 record prior to Monday's action.

Matt Kemp's walk-off home run in the second game of the series got me thinking. 

If you recall, the Nationals were leading in the ninth inning before Rodriguez entered to get the save. He proceeded to blow the lead and gave way to Tom Gorzelanny, the pitcher who fell victim to Kemp's homer.

Now if Storen were healthy, would he have gotten the save?

As a unit in 2012, the Nationals bullpen has not been able to equal the success of the starting rotation. In fact, they have spoiled several strong pitching performances.

Through 22 games, the combination of Rodriguez, Lidge and Tyler Clippard has already blown four saves—one by each of Rodriguez and Clippard and two by Lidge—and the combined ERA of the three is 4.18.

Sure, Rodriguez is a first-time closer and Lidge hasn't been asked to close since 2010 with the Phillies, but that's not really a good excuse for blowing games in the ninth.

Clippard's early struggles are very surprising, especially considering the fact that he was arguably the top setup man in the National League in 2011.

It seems as if the absence of Storen has really affected him, as he no longer has the near guarantee that the game will be closed out if he holds the lead.

Now the increased responsibility to keep the games close has transferred to him.

Storen was stellar in 2011, saving 43 of his 48 opportunities and posting an ERA of 2.75.

He was one of the best closers in the league in 2011, and one can't help but wonder if the Nationals would have a few more wins if he were healthy.

There's no doubt that he'll return this season as the team's closer, but it's just a matter of when.

The Nationals are hoping it's sooner rather than later, though, as they just so happen to play in the toughest division in the National League, where every win counts.

They just can't afford to keep giving away victories in the ninth.