Josh Hader and Trent Grisham Equally to Blame for Brewers Collapse in Wild Card

Trent Grisham's error will certainly be the talk of the league following the Nationals' stunning comeback victory over the Brewers, and while the rookie outfielder's mistake was glaring and game-changing, the blame should not be pointed at him alone.

Instead, the blame should reside with Josh Hader, who was far from his typical self on the rubber. Entering in relief in the eighth inning, Hader loaded the bases, bringing up Soto who knocked in the three runs with his single, thanks to Grisham's error.

FUN FACT OF THE DAY: Trent Grisham had a terrible error, but do you know who should be held fully responsible for this?

Josh Hader.

He was total garbage when his team needed him the most.

Ran out of gas at the wrong time.

Woof.
— Captain Schlasser: Leader of Men (@UrinatingTree) October 2, 2019

Hader, who had 37 saves, a 2.62 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP this season, completely collapsed for the Brewers when they needed him most.

He let up two hits, three runs (two earned) and hit Michael Taylor with a pitch in his lone inning of work. Even had Grisham made the play in right field, the game would've been tied, and Hader would be on the hook for a possible loss.

Josh Hader held left-handed batters to a .143 batting average in the regular season. Incredible.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 2, 2019

So while Brewers fans will certainly be enraged by the crushing defeat, it would be unfair to place the full blame on the rookie outfielder. Grisham failed to make the play, but Hader's inability to find the zone is ultimately what cost them the game.

For someone who was so dominant throughout the season, Hader didn't step up on the biggest stage of the year and a rookie's mistake shielded him from blame.