Sure the Atlanta Braves bullpen has been quite bad at times… but just how bad? What can we quantify about their collective performances?
Until the past couple of nights, it’s actually been tough to put full blame onto the Atlanta Braves bullpen for many of the losses for this 9-8 team… though we’ve tried, no doubt.
Indeed, there have only been 3 times (so far) in 2019 in which the team has been tied or held a lead when the bullpen gave up key runs that led directly to a loss (ignoring the lack of contributions from the offense):
-  April 17 vs. Arizona – up 2-1 after 6 innings
- April 16 vs. Arizona – up 5-2 after 6 innings
- April 6 vs. Miami – tied 2-2 after 6 (and after also 8 innings)
But there’s a lot more than just these obvious examples. It’s a systematic inability to hold games and allow the offense to have a chance to get back into the game when behind, and often failing to keep the boot on the necks of the opposition when comfortably ahead.
But that’s a summary… let’s look at the specifics:
-  Blown leads (all of them – not just the bullpen): 7
- Â Bullpen runs allowed by inning:
- Â Most: 7th inning (15)
- Â Next Most:Â 9th inning or later (13; actually a higher rate than the 7th)
- Bullpen scoreless games:Â 5 of 17
- These came in 5, 5, 4, 3, and 2 inning coverages; 2 of these were in Denver, of all places.
- The shortest of these involved Vizcaino (now out for the year)
- Bullpen ERA 5.17 (8th worst in MLB)
- Bullpen walk rate 5.60 (3rd worst in MLB)
- Saves 2 (tied for 4th worst)
- Blown saves 3 (tied for 6th-14th places)
- Total fangraphs Reliever score -6.2 (5th worst in MLB)
- Â Blown Leads (Braves 7)
- Nats 4
- Phillies 2
- Mets 2
- Runs Allowed ( 6th inning or later; Braves 38)
- Nats 53
- Phillies 38
- Mets 53
With a starter’s ERA of 4.08 (that includes 3 guys no longer starting), you’d have to wonder if the first solution step might simply be to give the starting pitcher 1 more inning… even if he’s hitting that dreaded ‘3rd time through the lineup’.
That didn’t quite work for the Braves last night as Kevin Gausman gave up a tying run in the 7th inning, but Arizona only got 3 hits off him all together.
Still, that’s a whole world better than a bullpen which allowed 3 hits, 3 walks, and a run in the next 3 innings alone.
Look – we get it: the team was expecting (perhaps a little foolishly) a healthy Arodys Vizcaino and healthy Darren O’Day. One of those is now done for the year; the other has no timetable for a return.
So now… finally… there’s a hint that ‘external options’ might be considered. Well, shazam… but we’ve heard things like this before.
Hang on, let me check something real quick. Okay, I’m back… yes: Craig Kimbrel‘s still available.
Among some interested teams, there’s belief Kimbrel would do a good 3-year deal now. Originally teams had the impression it would take at least 5. My take: Braves, who made a shorter-term try late in spring, remain best fit. Others: Brewers, Nats, Phillies. @Ken_Rosenthal on it
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 18, 2019The Atlanta Braves made a lot of offers on players this past Winter. Not many of them worked. One has to wonder if this ‘penny-wise/pound foolish’ approach is going to continue now… even in the face of evident need – and competition.
The only good news here is that both the Mets and the Nationals are having significant bullpen woes of their own. The Phillies problems are more with their starters (though reliever David Robertson is hurt).
Still: