In this era of baseball where it seems like each team has a different pitcher for each inning after the fifth, relief pitchers have an increasingly important role. The days of the long reliever are just about over and have been replaced by the seventh inning guy, the set-up man, and the closer. When I think of the top bullpens in baseball this season, three teams come to mind; the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Atlanta Braves. Let’s take a look at the statistics and crown the top bullpen in the big leagues.
Oakland Athletics
The Athletics are 37-25 so far this season, good for first place in the tough American League West. Much of their success can and should be credited to the outstanding work put in by the bullpen. Their collective 2.84 earned run average ranks third best in all of baseball, and they’ve compiled an eye opening 11-2 record. Despite their success, there are two pitchers in the bullpen who need to start pulling their weight. Chris Resop and Evan Scribner have a combined 5.65 earned run average and have allowed a combined 23 earned runs. In comparison, the other seven pitchers in the bullpen have given up a total 35 earned runs.
The rest of the bullpen is having an outstanding season so far. They are anchored by closer Grant Balfour, who has a miniscule 1.42 earned run average and 14 saves. Ryan Cook and Jerry Blevins also have great earned run averages of 2.00 and 1.65 respectively. Southpaw Sean Doolittle has recorded 10 holds on the season, although he’s given up two or more earned runs in three out of his last four starts. He bounced back in his last appearance, pitching a scoreless inning and striking out two.
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates offense ranks 25th or worse in runs scored, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and batting average. The only thing keeping them competitive in the National League Central is their pitching, namely the bullpen. The relief staff has a major league best 2.78 earned run average and opposing teams are batting a league worst .210 against them. Closer Jason Grilli has an incredible 0.98 earned run average and a major league leading 23 saves. He is on pace for 61 saves this season, which would leave him one save short of the single season record of 62 set by Francisco Rodriguez in 2008.
Middle relievers Mark Melancon, Justin Wilson, Bryan Morris, and Vin Mazzaro are also having fantastic seasons, having only given up 22 earned runs over a combined 118 innings. Those numbers equate to an outstanding 1.68 earned run average. As with the Athletics, the Pirates have two pitchers who are struggling out of the bullpen. Tony Watson has a 4.40 earned run average over 26 appearances and Jared Hughes has a 4.96 earned run average in 15 outings.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves’ perch atop the National League East is not just because of their NL leading 81 homeruns. The pitching staff has much to do with their six and a half game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies, and a lot of the success has to be attributed to the bullpen. Closer Craig Kimbrel has avoided a sophomore slump so far, striking out 32 batters in 23.1 innings on his way to 17 saves and a 1.93 earned run average. With Jonny Venters out for the rest of the season and Eric O’Flaherty now on the disabled list, some new names have stepped up to help the Braves maintain their great season.
Anthony Varvaro has a 2.23 earned run average in 23 appearances and Luis Avilan has a 2.31 earned run average over 28 outings. Since being called up, David Carpenter and Alex Wood have pitched well, only surrendering a combined three earned runs over 14 innings pitched. Cory Gearrin has been solid as usual, although he did give up a grand slam in his last outing to Los Angeles Dodgers’ up and coming star, Yasel Puig.
Baseball’s Best Bullpen
All three of these teams have outstanding bullpens and will most likely continue to stay in contention because of that fact. Looking at the given statistics, I’d have to say that the Pittsburgh Pirates have the best bullpen in baseball at this point in the season. There aren’t any household names on the relief staff, but that doesn’t matter as long as they keep putting zeros on the board after the starters exit the game. Jason Grilli is having an amazing season, and it will only continue to get better if the Pirates keep putting him in position to save games in the ninth.