Twins Playoff Bullpen Better than some Think

[Trov]

I came across this article on MLB Rumors https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/09/the-twins-bullpen-is-in-good-shape-for-the-postseason.html and it really shows our pen is in decent shape going in playoffs. This is despite our thoughts that it is in rough shape.  It points out that our current 9 man pen has a 2.84 ERA over 276 innings this year.  That is a very good looking number overall.  Yes, every pen guy will have bad innings, and that gets even bigger in the playoffs.  It is possible anyone of them, like Theilbar did yesterday, will have a bad inning.  However, when you look at that our current pen as constructed sure looks pretty strong. 

[TopGunn#22]

Trov, this was actually discussed to some degree in another thread speculating which pitchers would be chosen to comprise the Twins post-season bullpen.  The general consensus was that of the 8 guys in the bullpen, Duran, Varland, Stewart, Pagan, Theilbar, Jax and Maeda would be 7 "locks" and that it would probably come down to Funderburk or Paddock for the final spot.

In this scenario, Ober would be the #4 SP (Lopez, Gray & Ryan #1, #2 & #3) and that Keuchel wouldn't make it.  It's encouraging to see Paddock throwing 96-97 but I think Funderburk is the final piece because they should have another lefty and I've been impressed with him this season.  

That's quite an impressive bullpen, and when you consider that last night, the BP struck out 11 of the final 13 outs of the game, you got a glimpse at how dominant the Twins BP could be.  Granted, it was against Oakland, but it's still impressive.

The MLB Trade Rumors article pointed out that by cutting some of the bottom end, poor performers out that pitched about 175 innings in relief the Twins pen has been downright nasty this season.  Gone are the Moran's, Floro's, Lopez's etc...

The Twins, with very good starting pitching backed up by that BP could be very scary for some teams to face.  I think the Twins could be a sneaky team that other teams could take lightly at the own peril.  I think the Brewers, with Burnes, Woodruff and Peralta and a solid BP is very similar.  The Brewers are going to knock somebody big out of the playoffs.   

Once the season ends and the work of constructing a roster for next season begins, it will be interesting to see how the Twins go about replacing Gray & Maeda in the rotation as well as how they construct their 2024 bullpen.  When you see how a couple of guys at the bottom of the bullpen list negatively impacted the overall performance of our BP you can see they just need to shore up a couple of spots.  Weak cogs in a BP tend to have a negative domino effect on the entire bullpen.  It leads to over usage of the better pitchers.  

I believe adding one solid veteran arm and hopefully someone like Matt Canterino for next season could be tremendous.  Injuries and ineffectiveness will happen and guys like Alcala if he (like Canterino) can ever get and STAY healthy, could also have a tremendous impact on what could and should be a very good bullpen.  

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

I have been a very strong proponent that this will be a good bullpen however there is some things to consider.  The issue is at right now the top 3 of the top 4 relievers have been prone to blow ups (Jax, Duran and Pagan).  As long as Pagan is throwing strikes he is good,  if he can't in a pressure situation it can get rough in a hurry.  We will know very quickly what that looks like.  I am very optomistic and know at the very least it gives us a chance.  

[notoriousgod71]

I really hope we get to see Lopez and Gray for as long as they are effective and Rocco doesn't try to get ahead of the game and pull them at the first sign of trouble.

[JD-TWINS]

42 minutes ago, notoriousgod71 said:

I really hope we get to see Lopez and Gray for as long as they are effective and Rocco doesn't try to get ahead of the game and pull them at the first sign of trouble.

TWINS STARTERS, MOST INNINGS PER START OF ANY STAFF IN MLB IN ‘2023……(at least well into August)……..,period ……...please get off his back……It’s just not accurate.

Every manager in the past 30 years has had a quick hook in the playoffs…….biggest reason is because the playoff teams all have 6 or 7 good relievers.

[JD-TWINS]

11 hours ago, Trov said:

I came across this article on MLB Rumors https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/09/the-twins-bullpen-is-in-good-shape-for-the-postseason.html and it really shows our pen is in decent shape going in playoffs. This is despite our thoughts that it is in rough shape.  It points out that our current 9 man pen has a 2.84 ERA over 276 innings this year.  That is a very good looking number overall.  Yes, every pen guy will have bad innings, and that gets even bigger in the playoffs.  It is possible any one of them, like Theilbar did yesterday, will have a bad inning.  However, when you look at that our current pen as constructed sure looks pretty strong. 

The analysis/article from MLB Trade Rumors tells it all. Thanks for diving this up!

Headrick - J. Lopez - Floro - Alcala - DeLeon - Moran - Balazovic, plus a couple more guys I can’t remember are all off the roster and over 176 combined innings they had an ERA of 5.50 or so………the nine guys we have rostered now in the Pen combine for 284 innings with an ERA of 2.84

2.84 ERA has to be the best or at least top 3 in the entirety of MLB for a bullpen. It may not all work out in the playoffs but on paper we have as good a bullpen as there is in the game going into next week!

[Doctor Wu]

If you asked me a month ago, I would have said that I was VERY worried about the bullpen, but looking at October in the face, my stress level is a lot less. I like the idea of using starters like Maeda and Varland in the bullpen, plus a healthy Stewart will be a big help too. Still not sold on depending on Paddack  after his last-minute rehab, but if the brass feels like he's ready and reliable, put him in the fire too! Feeling a lot more confident this week. 

[TopGunn#22]

I just wish that Rocco trusts Varland and Stewart in the 7th/8th inning.  I'd rather see those two in a tight late game situation than Jax or Pagan.  If you're looking at the "RIGHT NOW" Varland is a force coming out of the pen and Stewart has been beyond anything I would have expected.  TRUST those two guys.  

[NeverSeenATwinsPlayoffWin]

I disagree with the "there's no such thing as a low-leverage reliever" sentiment, but in the postseason, you have to be comfortable with every single one of your RP in a high-leverage spot. I am very glad that we will not see Balazovic, Moran, Headrick, Winder, Sands, or Ortega take the ball in a key spot. With Maeda, Duran, and even possibly Stewart able to go multiple innings, I feel really good about our ability to have our best pitchers on the mound at all times.