The Pen is Mightier

 

The Baltimore Orioles bullpen was a major factor in their playoff run in 2012. The team went an amazing 29-9 in one run games and 16-2 in extra innings, which was helped in large part by their bullpen. The Orioles bullpen compiled an ERA of 3.00, good for 5^th in the league. But the pen pitched the 4^th most innings of any team in the league with 545.1. The effects of this, coupled with a less then stellar starting pitching staff in 2013 ( 27^th in ERA at 4.57 and 22^nd in innings pitched at 939), saw the Orioles bullpen fall to 15^th in ERA (3.52). The Orioles record in both one run games and extras saw a sharp decline (20-31 in one run games, 8-7 in extras).

The bullpen was overused in 2013 and the effects showed. Even though the bullpen pitched fewer innings (514, 11^th most), they still struggled. Jim Johnson blew 9 saves and was used far too often. The team went into the 2014 offseason looking to upgrade both the starting pitching and bullpen. The hope with upgrading the rotation being that a better starting staff would help rest the bullpen and make it more effective.

The first question was what to do about Jim Johnson. Coming off back-to-back 50 save seasons he was due a big raise. After a difficult season that resulted in his blowing 9 saves, the Orioles made the decision they couldn't afford 10 million dollars for a closer. So Johnson was traded to Oakland, a move that at the time had many Orioles fans angry - though strangely enough, these same fans wanted to lynch him during the season when he was costing the team games. Orioles General Manager Dan Duquette said he planned to use the money that would have gone to Johnson elsewhere to improve the team.

Shortly after, the Orioles had a deal in place for Grant Balfour. It seemed the Orioles had found their closer, one coming off a strong season with a better save percentage then that of Johnson. The deal eventually fell apart over Balfour's physical, and once again the Orioles appeared to have no closer. The plan was then to try out Tommy Hunter in the closer role.

The Orioles signed free agent Ryan Webb to bolster the bullpen, hoping he would provide help at the back end. Now in AAA, he was having a decent, if not spectacular season with an ERA of 3.80 in 42 games. After addressing the bullpen, the Orioles turned their attention the the rotation, landing Ubaldo Jimenez, who has struggled to the point of being moved himself into the bullpen.

Hunter struggled to have easy, “clean” innings as the closer. After a blown save vs Detroit and a trip to the DL, the Orioles turned to failed starter Zach Britton. Britton's velocity was up coming out of the bullpen and he had been pitching lights out with his ability to sink the ball. The Orioles found their closer after much angst over trading Johnson, the failed physical of Balfour and the struggles of Tommy Hunter.

And let me just say, looking back, does it not feel great having let go of Johnson and missed out on Balfour? Both have had horrible seasons and lost their jobs, with Johnson even being released by the Athletics.

7.15 ERA,YIKES!!

His 5.54 ERA isn't much better than JJ's
(Photo Credit: nbcsports.com)

The Orioles bullpen is currently 8^th in ERA (3.08) and 8^th in innings pitched (418.1) so far this season. Helping the Orioles to a 25-19 record in one run games and 12-5 in extra innings. Since Britton took over as closer and once the starting pitching started to take off in June, the bullpen has been nearly lights out and is again a giant weapon for the team. Brad Brach has been a pleasant surprise. Darren O'day is having one of the best seasons for a reliever ever, with an ERA of 0.92 in 56 games - he's given up just 6 runs all year. 6!! That's like one a month. To top it off, the Orioles added Andrew Miller at the trade deadline. Miller has an 0.96 ERA in his 10 games as an Oriole. And has the ability to get out both right and left handed hitters. The back end of the the bullpen has turned each night into a six inning game, with the ability to hand the ball over to O'Day, Miller or Hunter and then to Britton.

The Orioles used their bullpen a great deal on the way to the playoffs in 2012. Here in 2014 this Orioles pen may be even better than the one they had in 2012. It doesn't hurt that the Orioles starting pitching is also better than it was in 2012. Come playoff time the Orioles will have one of, if not the best group of pitchers to hand the ball too late in games. If the starters can give them six quality innings the Orioles should have a chance to do some damage in the playoffs with this lethal bullpen.

-Matt Baggette @mlb930