Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Last season the Detroit Tigers looked invincible at times but as the MLB postseason lagged on through October it became clear that the powerful Tigers offense masked a troubled bullpen. In the end it can easily be said that the weak bullpen cost them the World Series title over the course of the series. The same invincible look is there this season but unfortunately the same issue of a weak bullpen appears to be there once again as well.
Their bullpen ERA is 4.05 which ranks 13th out of 15 teams for the season in the American League. They are the only playoff bound team in all of the major leagues that has a bullpen ERA over 4.00. The cast of characters is different and there is some talent but they also have a few possible injuries adding to the negative vibes surrounding the ‘pen.
However impressive their starting pitchers are, and they are, it doesn’t mean they can win a postseason series if they have a weak bullpen. As a matter of fact, having weak bullpen sort of means pretty clearly that you will not win every postseason series you face. Basically the bullpen is important enough that if they do not up their game very soon, they could cost the starters and offense a series win as early as the division round. We’ll see how they are able to adjust, or not.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
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