Bullpen strength: How playoffs’ most crucial units stack up
The Cleveland Indians’ run to the 2016 World Series served as the latest example of the value of top-notch bullpens in the postseason.
Despite having a decimated rotation – remember Ryan Merritt making a start in the American League Championship Series? – the Indians reached Game 7 of the World Series thanks largely to a stellar relief corps headed by Andrew Miller and Cody Allen.
With the extra days off and heightened importance of every out in October, bullpens are sure to play a key role again this postseason. Here’s a look at how every playoff team stacks up in that area.
Cleveland Indians:
The bullpen with the best ERA in the majors happily welcomed back a rested Miller, who missed 37 games while serving two stints on the disabled list with a knee injury. Miller has been his usual untouchable self since his return – 16 strikeouts in eight innings – bolstering an already formidable group of relievers.
Closer Allen and fellow right-hander Nick Goody average close to 12 strikeouts per nine innings, Bryan Shaw leads the team’s relievers in appearances and Dan Otero is a master at inducing groundballs. And talk about the rich getting richer: Cleveland could have the overpowering Danny Salazar and 12-game winner Mike Clevinger in the bullpen for the division series.
Boston Red Sox:
After a pedestrian 2016 season, closer Craig Kimbrel is back to blowing away hitters at an amazing rate. Kimbrel struck out 126 of the 254 batters he faced, an astonishing 49.6% that’s even better than the redoubtable Kenley Jansen (42.2%).
Backing up Kimbrel on the bullpen with the majors’ second-best ERA (3.15) is a solid cast that includes right-handers Matt Barnes, Heath Hembree and the reborn Joe Kelly.
But the staff’s most intriguing pitcher in the postseason will be David Price, who has thrown 8 scoreless innings and struck out 13 as a reliever since returning from an elbow injury September 17.
New York Yankees:
The formidable quartet of Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle was supposed to make games five-inning affairs once the Yankees put them together, except Chapman mysteriously faltered all of a sudden.
Now Chapman is back to throwing 102mph fireballs and his confidence has been restored, as he held opponents scoreless in 11 September outings. That could make the Yankees bullpen a scary weapon in the playoffs, where overpowering pitching typically rules. Chapman and Betances are two of only five relievers ever to strike out 100-plus batters in four consecutive seasons.
Los Angeles Dodgers:
Jansen registered every single one of the Dodgers’ 47 saves in 2016. He has been less of a save hog this year, collecting 41 of the club’s 51, but there’s little question about who’s the boss late in the game. And his domain is not necessarily limited to the ninth. Jansen has 12 saves of more than one inning, and his memorable 51-pitch outing in last year’s playoffs served as testament to his grit.
The bridge to Jansen was shaky in September with the struggles of Pedro Baez and Ross Stripling, so the Dodgers may get creative. They’ve already moved Kenta Maeda to the bullpen and may consider using lefty Alex Wood (16-3) in that same role. Dodgers relievers do have the best ERA in the NL at 3.38, so the club does not lack for options.
Washington Nationals:
Remember when this was an area of concern, nay, dismay? The July acquisitions of Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson and Brandon Kintzler have transformed the Nationals bullpen from a disaster into an asset.
While all three have experience closing and have pitched well since arriving in Washington, Doolittle has taken over the ninth inning and converted his first 21 save chances before blowing a late lead in an eventual win Thursday. The newcomers’ arrival also allowed Matt Albers (1.66 ERA) to move into a sixth-inning role. Sammy Solis, who has turned around his season with 11 consecutive scoreless outings, gives the Nats a third lefty reliever along with Doolittle and Oliver Perez.
Chicago Cubs:
We’ll forgive Wade Davis that one miscue after converting his first 32 save chances of the season. He has still allowed just 39 hits in 581/3 innings and is nearly automatic.
The rest of the bullpen is pretty sturdy as well, with the hard-throwing Carl Edwards Jr. emerging as a solid setup man by striking out nearly 13 per nine innings. The Cubs figure to have three lefties in the bullpen in the first round in Mike Montgomery, Justin Wilson and Brian Duensing, which may help them neutralize the Nationals’ Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy.
Arizona Diamondbacks:
Closer Fernando Rodney, 40, looked like he was done in April, when he fashioned a 12.60 ERA. But since then Rodney has been awfully effective, converting 33 of 37 save chances with a 2.38 ERA. Moreover, Rodney limited batters to a .200 average for the whole season, despite the early struggles, showing he can still get the job done.
The more interesting prospect regarding Diamondbacks relievers is the likelihood they’ll use Archie Bradley – a breakout star this season with a 1.73 ERA and 1.04 WHIP as a setup man – in the same capacity the Indians used Miller last October. If Bradley can handle that kind of multi-inning role, the Diamondbacks would have a hugely valuable tool at their disposal.
Colorado Rockies:
Other than a threeweek stretch in August when he was hit hard, closer Greg Holland has been a rock and the main reason Colorado’s bullpen has the fourth most saves in the big leagues (47). Holland allowed two earned runs in 10 September outings and tied for the league lead with 41 saves.
But there are questions about a middle relief corps that now includes rookie starters like Antonio Senzatela and Jeff Hoffman. Late-season acquisition Pat Neshek and lefty Jake McGee are the top setup men.
Houston Astros:
The Astros have the shakiest bullpen among the leading World Series contenders, ranking 18th in the majors with a 4.29 ERA. Closer Ken Giles can be overpowering but falls short of lights-out category, having converted 34 of 38 save chances.
Chris Devenski and Will Harris are solid in the setup roles, but Luke Gregerson has had a rough year, and the addition of Francisco Liriano failed to fulfill the need for an effective lefty in key situations. Houston’s 21 blown saves are the second largest figure among playoff teams. That’s not a comforting stat to take into October.
Minnesota Twins:
Who are these guys? The Twins traded closer Kintzler in late July, either thinking they could do better or refusing to believe they were really playoff contenders. Now they’ve become the first team ever to make the postseason the year after losing at least 100 games, and their bullpen is, well, different.
Matt Belisle, a 14-year veteran who had all of five career saves before this season, converted nine in 10 chances as the closer and, most important, logged a 1.41 ERA in his last 36 appearances. He’s supported by rookies Trevor Hildenberger and Alan Busenitz. Taylor Rogers is the top left-handed option.