Bullpen Report: September 1, 2015
A quick rundown of the early games as we head into September.
• With Brad Ziegler in need of rest after a rough outing on Monday, the Diamondbacks went to Dan Hudson for the save against the Rockies. After two hits, two strikeouts and an earned run, Hudson netted his third save of the year. Ziegler’s worm killing ways (73% GB%) are still first in line but Hudson has cemented his role in the pecking order if anything were to happen to Ziegler.
• The Yankees bullpen might be more top heavy than other pens in the league but their top two is unparalleled. Showing their strength tonight, Dellin Betances got four outs and two strikeouts for his 21st hold, handing the ball off to Miller who struck out the side for his 29th save. In 116 combined innings this season, Miller and Betances have 181 strikeouts and a 1.48 ERA. Pretty, pretty good. While gawking over these two isn’t news, it’s still fun nonetheless.
• Roberto Osuna has been terrific in the ninth all year but he blew his second save this season on a Yan Gomes solo shot in the ninth. On the year Osuna still supports an ERA under two (1.99) with 16 saves in 18 chances. Doing all that before you’re able to drink is a pretty solid start to a career. The Blue Jays really turned a previous weakness into a strength with their improved bullpen. It starts with Osuna in the ninth but the additions of LaTroy Hawkins (1.71 FIP on Toronto) and Mark Lowe along with Aaron Sanchez‘ move to the bullpen creates a solid group.
• Quick Hits: Bryan Shaw blew the save for the Indians tonight. He remains a solid setup option and Cody Allen is still the closer here but was given a night off after getting four outs last night. In other pecking order news, Pedro Strop threw a perfect eighth, and his role as the main setup man in Chicago is firm.
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
When he's not focusing on every team's bullpen situation, Ben can be found blogging at Ben's Baseball Bias and on Twitter @BensBias
I’d just point out that Shaw did not blow the save, he entered a tie game and took the loss. The Indians were likely saving Allen for a save situation, given they were on the road in a tie game.
Also, the drinking age in the socialist republic of Ontario is 19. So Osuna’s achievements come post-drinking age. Upside is that he can drown his sorrows in crappy Canadian lager after last night.
Crappy Canadian lager lolololololololol
Tears from the laughter are rolling down my face into my Beau’s Lug-Tread…another 100ml or so and it’ll be the watered-down swill worthy of being poured in Americuh!
USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA, f*** yeah!!
…& it was his 2nd inning, when he normally only does one inning. Maybe because it ws the ‘weak’ part of the lineup…