Tigers Enjoying Solid Production From Bullpen
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
DETROIT - Before the season, Detroit Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski often mentioned an improved Joe Nathan and a healthy Bruce Rondon as reasons he expected the bullpen would be better than it was in 2014.
Thirty-eight games into the 2015 season, Nathan is out for the picture due to a season-ending injury, and Rondon is still on the disabled list, working to return from bicipital tendinitis.
Those are not insignificant hiccups, even if Nathan likely would have lost his closer spot because Joakim Soria performed so well there in his absence.
Despite the absence of Nathan and Rondon, and despite the fact the Tigers made no flashy moves to shore up the bullpen this offseason, Detroit has gotten solid production from that group.
The relievers have a collective ERA of 3.02, seventh-best in the majors.
"They've pitched really well," Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler said. "I think their roles have been kind of distinguished. They know what time of the game they're coming in, and they're able to prepare for that a little bit better. I think they're just throwing the ball better."
Relatively speaking, Tigers starters have not allowed their late-game counterparts much work. Detroit's relievers have combined to pitch 101.1 innings, fewer than all but one other team in the majors. The Tigers starters have thrown 236.2 innings, more than any team in baseball.
Kinsler agreed the innings-eating ability of Detroit's rotation contributes to a more effective bullpen.
"If a starter can go deep into a game, it does save the bullpen, those middle innings that you don't have to rely on them as much, and also ... the roles are set up a lot easier," Kinsler said. "When a starter can go deep into a game, you're able to limit your pitch count from the bullpen and use guys where they're meant to be used as opposed to ... where you're putting them in a position where they're really not made to do. The longer that a starter can go into the game, the better."
The offseason moves the Tigers did make to address the bullpen, while not considered particularly exciting at the time, appear to be paying off.
Tom Gorzelanny, a 10-year veteran who spent the last two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, has a 3.38 ERA over 13 appearances and has shut teams out in nine of his outings. Alex Wilson, who played the last two seasons with the Boston Red Sox, has an ERA of 1.98 through seven appearances.
"Alex Wilson was a guy we didn't know what we got when we acquired him, and he's pitched well since he's been here," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "Gorzo, we knew his track record, but he's new to the bullpen here. I think Blaine Hardy's continued to pitch pretty well, like he did last year. Joba [Chamberlain]'s pitched pretty well overall. Really, at this point, the big difference is Soria's pitched much better this than he did for us last year."
Indeed, Soria has been sensational, holding teams scoreless in 16 of his 18 appearances. He has an ERA of 1.06 and 12 saves.
"He's just very composed, very comfortable in his role, very comfortable with the pitches that he has, and he's confident," Kinsler said. "Any time you have a guy with those attributes in the ninth inning, it's a bonus. Obviously his command is off the charts, so it's really nice to have him out there."
Rookie Angel Nesbitt has shut teams out in 11 of his 15 outings. Blaine Hardy, who gave up earned runs in each of his first three outings this season, has now gone 10 straight without allowing one.
Chamberlain said all the relievers have had to step up since Nathan and Rondon have not been available. The scrutiny on the bullpen last season was intense, as the group's collective ERA was one of the worst in the majors.
"We can talk 'til we're blue in the face," Chamberlain said. "Everybody's going to say good and bad, but we're just a bunch of guys out there that know our job, that have been around, and we understand what it takes to be successful. I think that's just the biggest thing. We don't read too much into it. We all have expectations of ourselves that are higher than anybody can put on us, and we understand that. We go out there to just have a great time with one another and protect our lead for our starters and the guys playing defense and doing all those things.
"Everybody's different," Chamberlain added. "Personality-wise everybody's really different, and just stuff-wise everybody's different. I think it just, we all complement each other and the biggest thing is we have fun down there with each other. We have a great time."
