Atlanta Braves bullpen woes
By Fred Owens
A word about Keith Hernandez
Late Tuesday Keith Hernandez busted out a Twitter rant about the Braves Bullpen. It came over the following three tweets
https://twitter.com/keithhernandez/status/1001501114020311041
https://twitter.com/keithhernandez/status/1001501116063010817
https://twitter.com/keithhernandez/status/1001501117619036161
These tweets from a guy like Hernandez seem out of character and Braves fans rightly took exception to them, me included.
In retrospect those tweets look like he’s tired of watching the Mets bullpen implode but likes his job.
Teams have a habit of replacing broadcasters who point out serious shortcomings of the team that point fingers at leadership, see also Steve Stone. By directing his rant at the Braves pen he had his say and covered his butt. He also has a point on a broader scale.
There’s a serious shortage of good pitchers – starters and relievers – across the league. Hernandez erred by singling out the Braves bullpen when the Mets’ pen is an even bigger mess. Either bow your back and talk about the team you watch every day or speak in generalities. Pointing fingers is cheap, in poor taste and beneath you.
That’s a Wrap
I’m as frustrated as anyone else with the shortcomings of the bullpen and equally frustrated with starters who can’t go six innings.
Screaming for Alex Anthopoulos to wave a magic wand and replace the weak links is an exercise in futility. Every team needs better starters and deeper bullpens. There simply aren’t enough good pitchers to fill the void.
Evan Phillips looks likely to get a chance soon. The Stripers used him in two inning appearances a lot this month, butt AA said he isn’t going to rush Kolby Allard or any other young starters . He knows it’s often a recipe for slowing or stunting their growth.
In the interim feel free to scream at the pen, it’s said that actually screaming relieves stress. Just don’t scare the dog.