Seeking Relief

Ignore the importance of the bullpen at your own peril

June 9, 2007

By Jason Brough
Bodog Nation Contributing Writer

Imagine you're about to bet on the Indianapolis Colts. In the pre-game press conference, coach Tony Dungy announces that Peyton Manning will be starting at quarterback but back-up Jim Sorgi will be playing the fourth quarter.

No offense to Sorgi, but you'd be a little less willing to bet on the Colts, right?

Then how is it a team like the Chicago White Sox can use a whole stable of Sorgis and most bettors don't give it a second thought?

The White Sox have the worst collection of relief pitchers in baseball. Their non-starters own an embarrassing ERA of 5.88. Compare that to San Diego's relievers who boast an MLB-best ERA of 2.15.

After Sunday's 4-3 loss to Toronto - a game in which the White Sox blew a 3-0 lead - general manager Kenny Williams finally did something to shake up his bullpen that had blown fives saves in its past 22 games while putting up a 2-6 record and a 9.06 ERA.

Chicago optioned Mike MacDougal and David Aardsma to Triple-A Charlotte while Ryan Bukvich and Bret Prinz came up from the minor league club.

The moves haven't worked quite yet. Thursday in a 10-3 loss to the New York Yankees, four Chicago relievers combined to surrender six earned runs in the last 1.2 innings. The collapse was highlighted by an Alex Rodriguez grand slam off the aforementioned Bukvich.

A seven-run loss after the game was tied 1-1 in the seventh inning? Things are not going well in Chicago.

Who Cares About the Bullpen?

On the south side of Chicago, the Sox's relief woes are big news. After all, ardent baseball fans know everything about their favorite team, from the bullpen personnel to the hot-dog vendors.

Outside of the Windy City, however, the White Sox bullpen story is about as appealing to readers as Ozzie Guillen is to Rudy Galindo, and vice-versa.

Just because Mark Buehrle is on the mound doesn't mean the White Sox are a good bet. (AI Wire photo)

Bettors are getting burned on the White Sox because of starters like Jon Garland, Mark Buehrle and Jose Contreras. All three are premier pitchers who helped Chicago to a 2005 World Series title.

It's easy to feel confident when one of the above is on the hill. Garland, Buehrle and Contreras have given the White Sox a quality start in 22 of their 34 (65 percent) collective outings. However, Chicago is just 16-18 in those games.

Poor relievers (not to mention cold bats) are the culprits in Chicago. The thing is, how often does a typical bettor ask how a team's bullpen has been playing before making a wager? The first question is always, "Who's on the mound?" - not, "Who's on the mound later?"

Worst 5 Bullpens in Baseball

The Anti-White Sox

Until the White Sox regain some stability in their bullpen, it might be wise to go against them, especially when Garland, Buehrle or Contreras are chucking.

At the same time, it's worthwhile knowing which teams might be a good bet for the very same reason Chicago isn't.

The Toronto Blue Jays don't have one starter with an ERA under 4. Even high-priced horses like Roy Halladay (5-2, 4.63 ERA) and A.J. Burnett (5-5, 4.02 ERA) are struggling at times to silence opponents' bats.

Fortunately for the Jays, their relievers have stepped up when called upon. The Toronto bullpen boasts a 3.26 ERA and has held opposition batters to a .219 average, third- and second-best in baseball, respectively.

Toronto's Roy Halladay can usually count on his bullpen to bail him out. (AI Wire photo)

Relative unknowns like Scott Downs (3.47 ERA, 5 holds), Casey Janssen (1.16 ERA, 9 holds) and Jeremy Accardo (1.69 ERA, 7 saves) have given the Jays the opportunity to make a number of impressive late-game comebacks.

Tuesday against Tampa Bay, after Halladay was roughed up to the tune of eight runs in 3.1 innings, Toronto scored six runs in the ninth to win 12-11.

It's a similar story in Seattle where the Mariners' bullpen, along with a fairly potent offense, has allowed the team to overcome a horrendous 5.58 starting-pitchers' ERA and actually win more games than it loses.

Closer J.J. Putz (1.37 ERA, 15 saves) has yet to blow a save opportunity and has been the big story as far as relief pitching is concerned, but George Sherrill (1.47 ERA, 7 holds) and Brandon Morrow (1.66 ERA, 9 holds) have also played important roles.

It should also be noted that Sherrill and Morrow make a combined $775,000 per season, a nice bonus for Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi, the same guy who's paying slugger Richie Sexson $15.5 million to hit .197.

Apparently, even baseball's top executives can overlook the importance of the bullpen.

Top 5 Bullpens in Baseball

TOP PHOTO: Seattle closer J.J. Putz celebrates another job-well-done with his catcher Kenji Johjima. (AI Wire photo)