Bullpen Report: March 31st, 2018

Only a few games into the season and the relief pitcher body count has already started to mount. No, none of your fantasy arms died tonight but injuries to some top rated arms seems almost unavoidable in today’s game. Earlier today the Phillies placed Pat Neshek on the 10-Day disabled list with what the Phillies are calling “Right Shoulder Strain”. This only a day after Philadelphia placed late inning reviver Tommy Hunter on the 10-Day DL as well. Neither of those two were lined directly up for save opportunities but it leaves Hector Neris on a closer island all by himself with a somewhat secure ninth inning role, even after his implosion just a night ago.

Elsewhere in Pennsylvania the Pirates played a marathon game that lasted 13 innings strong. Twenty-three runs were scored in this one and Felipe Rivero wasn’t able to escape without being tagged with four of them. Rivero entered in the bottom of the ninth as planned, with a four run lead but then proceeded to walk two of his first three hitters. After awarding free passes to Nicolas Castellanos and JaCoby Jones, Rivero surrendered a two-run double, followed by another walk a few batters later and that was enough for Manager Clint Hurdle.  Rivero was unceremoniously removed, having responsibility for two runners on base, which soon scored off a Dixton Machado double. Rivero’s command was far less than crisp in this one, throwing 30 pitches and only 13 of them for strikes. Despite starting the season off on the wrong foot, Rivero’s security in the role is extremely safe. His 1.55 ERA last year and his 22 successful save conversions has built him up as one of the safer situations to be in.

The Nationals Sean Doolittle pitched well in his first save opportunity of the year. He walked one but struck out two while locking down the ninth inning and giving Dave Martinez his first victory as a big league manager. Not a bad way to get on the good side of the man calling the shots.

Roberto Osuna pitched a clean ninth inning on Friday night, never allowing a baserunner, keeping the Blue Jays within striking distance while down three runs as they entered the bottom of the ninth. Aroldis Chapman entered the game, starting strong by fanning the first two batters he faced but faltered a bit after that. Chapman allowed back to back doubles to Steve Pearce and Yangervis Solarte and allowing the game tying run to come up to the plate (Randal Grichuk). Chapman would then shut the door against Grichuk with nothing other than his usually triple digit fire. David Robertson pitched the eighth inning ahead of Chapman Friday, a night after Betances got his shot in the eighth. Either of those two would easily slot straight into a closer role, if for some reason Chapman continued to struggle.

Craig Kimbrel was lights out against the Rays, facing the minimum and earning his first of likely many saves for the Red Sox this season. Kimbrel needed just 15  pitches to strikeout the side. Dominate start to the season for one of baseball’s best pitchers.

Brad Boxberger walked into the lion’s den with his first opportunity as the Diamondbacks primary closer. Facing a lethal Rockies heart of the order (LeMahieu/Arenado/Story), Boxberger walked the first man he faced on eight pitches. Arenado, up with the tying run on first base, is not exactly the formula Torey Lovullo was hoping for but Boxberger would quickly recover, popping up Arenado and striking out both Trevor Story and Carlos Gonzalez. The Diamondbacks would much prefer Boxberger be the ninth inning man, even with Archie Bradley as the best arm in the back half of that bullpen.

In a game where the Cubs pitchers threw a total of 259 pitches in 17 innings, it only took Morrow two tries before the Marlins walked it off on a single by Miguel Rojas. The game winning run was inherited so Morrow’s ERA will not be affected. His standing in the closer role won’t be questioned either this early in the season after a few pitches. The sting of the loss however will resonate in that locker room and in the mind of Joe Maddon for a while.

 

Even the mighty fail from time to time. Kenley Jansen took the loss last night after giving up  a solo-shot to Joe Panik in the top of the ninth inning. Panik has now hit long balls in two consecutive games off Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen. “Keep working hard kids… Dreams do come true”… Joe Panik Probably.

Blake Parker recorded the first save for the Angles this year but he did so by getting Matt Joyce to groundout and then proceeded to scream something fierce into his glove.  Parker didn’t have his best stuff and that much was clear. With that being said Mike Scioscia, the Angels manager, seems to lean Parker in the role for the time being.