With the Labor Day holiday taking place this week, it’s only fitting that we honor a group of union workers who continue to put in longer hours with each passing year.
Well, okay, the MLBPA isn’t exactly the same as the blue-collar union men and women who helped build the US of A, and even those on the low end of the pay scale are pulling in $740K. If any of them are living paycheck to paycheck, it’s their own fault.
Still, relief pitchers are a huge part of the game and a big reason why some teams succeed while others fail. As the 2024 postseason draws nearer, we’re looking at the bullpens that are performing well and ready to give their teams a leg, er, arm up in the playoffs.
Cleveland Guardians – AL Central
August wasn’t a great month for the Guardians, who dropped 16 of 24 during one stretch and endured one 7-game losing streak. But they seem to have righted the ship by winning 5 of their last 6, and the bullpen grades out as baseball’s best heading down the stretch.
Cleveland relievers lead all of baseball with a 2.80 ERA, and the lion’s share of credit for that outstanding number goes to closer Emmanuel Clase who is pitching to a 0.71 ERA and has already reached the 40-save plateau.
Manager Stephen Vogt has plenty of help in front of Clase, a real luxury for the first-year skipper. Hunter Gaddis is one of five Cleveland relievers – along with Clase – to have made 60+ appearances, and leads the staff in holds while posting a 1.57 ERA.
Cade Smith and Tim Herrin are also in the 60 G club with ERAs just above 2.00. The pair has combined for an 11-1 record with 142 strikeouts in just over 120 IP.
The Guardians have needed the relievers to pick up the slack for a rotation that has been average at best. Cleveland is currently +1200 to +1500 to win the World Series on the futures at the top MLB sportsbooks.
Milwaukee Brewers – NL Central
Our pick in the National League as a team that could surprise with a deep playoff run, the Brewers also have a deep bullpen that has helped them to the largest division lead in the Senior Circuit.
Coincidentally, Milwaukee also has a first-year manager in Pat Murphy, and Murphy has seen his bullpen grow deeper since the All-Star Game thanks to the return of Devin Williams. Stress fractures in his back shelved Williams until late-July, and he has recorded 8 saves in his first 12 appearances since being activated off the 60-day IL.
Trevor Megill handled closing duties until Williams returned, and posted 20 saves before being shifted to a setup roll. Having two arms that Murphy can call on in save situations is one reason that make the Brewers an attractive World Series wager at around +1400 at top sportsbooks.
In addition to having two experienced closers, Murphy has the added bonus of being able to call on two left-handed arms from his relief unit. Jared Koenig and Bryan Hudson have combined for nearly 90 appearances with a combined 1.99 ERA and more than a whiff per inning.
Murphy also has a deeper rotation in Milwaukee than Vogt has in Cleveland, yet another reason the Brewers have plenty of value at this time.
Los Angeles Dodgers – NL West
With all of the injuries to his rotation, Dave Roberts has needed Dodger relievers to step up and cover for the shortcomings. The LA bullpen has responded to the challenge more than admirably to help the Dodgers to the most wins in the majors.
Roberts has also been able to turn to more than one hurler to pitch in closing situations, and can call on a couple of southpaws as well.
The Dodgers beefed up the bullpen at the trade deadline by adding Michael Kopech in a deal with the White Sox. Kopech has stepped right into the closer’s role and owned it so far, making him the arm Roberts is mostly likely to call on in the ninth inning the rest of the way.
If Kopech does stumble at some point, Evan Phillips and Daniel Hudson are waiting in the wings. Phillips was the primary closer before Kopech arrived, logging 18 saves along the way, while Hudson has 6 wins, 10 saves and 2.53 ERA.
The two lefthanders are Alex Vesia and Anthony Banda. Vesia has the most K/9 among the arms that have been in the LA bullpen all season. And Roberts also has veteran Blake Treinen who can be used in high-leverage situations.
No wonder the Dodgers are the top MLB pick on World Series odds board, running +300 to +350 at most shops.
* All stats and standings through Sept. 2nd.
