Rockies’ bullpen has been rock solid, but is fatigue taking toll?
Last Updated on May 31, 2023 by Admin
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You can understand why Bud Black is bullish on his relievers.
You also have to wonder how long it will be before those relievers begin to melt down if Colorado’s starters continue providing minimal innings and poor performances.
Because Rockies history tells us that too many innings and too many Coors Field slugfests amid higher temperatures will eventually crack even the best of bullpens.
But let’s start with the positive stuff.
For a team that entered Tuesday night’s game at Arizona with a 24-31 record and a starting rotation crippled by injuries, Colorado’s relievers have been mostly excellent. True, the 4.51 ERA is the seventh-highest in the majors, but for a team that plays half its game at 5,280 feet, that’s pretty solid. Toss out bad stints by Ty Blach (8.18 ERA) and Dinelson Lamet (12.66) and it looks even better.
Consider:
• The 2018 playoff team had a 4.62 bullpen ERA and the 2009 playoff team posted a 4.62. The current crew is right there with those bullpens. At least for now.
• Despite his ongoing skirmish with anxiety, right-hander Daniel Bard has held opponents scoreless in 12 of his 13 appearances since coming off the injured list on April 19.
• Closer Pierce Johnson is 11 for 11 in save opportunities, tied for the fourth-most saves in the National League. He’s pitched his best when games have been the tightest. He has a 1.69 ERA in 11 save situations, but a 10.64 ERA in 13 non-save outings. That’s either really encouraging or really scary.
• Veteran lefty Brad Hand has not allowed a home run, one of just nine southpaw relievers in the majors to not serve up a long ball. Hand has held opposing left-handed hitters to a .154 average, tied for the seventh-best among all lefty pitchers in the majors.
• Workhorse right-hander Jake Bird has pitched 34 2/3 innings, tied for the most among all relievers in the majors. Over his last 20 games (since April 11), Bird has a 1.24 ERA with 32 strikeouts vs. 10 walks and he’s held hitters to a .190 average. His 36 total strikeouts are the fifth-most in the majors among relievers and the second-most in the National League.
• Justin Lawrence, the side-arm right-hander, is holding hitters to a .202 average and has held teams scoreless in 18 of his 24 outings.
But cracks are beginning to show up in the bullpen.
On Saturday, in the Rockies’ 10-7 win over the Mets at Coors, Bird gave up two runs on three hits, including a home run. It was his first time allowing multiple earned runs since April 9 and the first home run he gave up since April 3.
Lefty Brent Suter allowed four runs on a season-high four hits in two-thirds of an inning on Saturday, snapping his seven-game scoreless streak.
In Colorado’s 11-10 nail-biting victory over the Mets, Lawrence gave up three runs on two hits in the ninth before getting the final out.
Afterward, Black was asked if he was concerned about fatigue wearing down his relievers, thereby making them less effective.
“I think about that all of the time,” Black said, cutting the question short. “Every day. And every night. I’m not a psychic, and I can’t read the future. But we are going to do the best we can to take care of them.”
Asked if fatigue was the reason his relievers were not as sharp on Sunday, Black said: “Or (pitch) location. But it’s a fair question. We’re going to keep an eye on it.”
Blackmon’s absence. Veteran outfielder/designated hitter Charlie Blackmon went on the bereavement list to mourn the death of his grandfather, Edward Lee “Pa” Mitchell, who died recently.
Black spoke to reporters about Blackmon’s loss.
“Charlie broke the news to me, actually coming back from Texas,” Black said. “They didn’t know when the services were going to be. But Charlie’s grandfather was a huge Rockies fan. He listened to every game on the radio. His eyesight was failing him, but he was able to listen. He was 96 years young, and Charlie said he lived a great life.”
The bereavement list requires a player to miss a minimum of three days.
Replacing Blackmon on the 26-man roster is Elehuris Montero, who was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Wednesday’s Pitching Matchup
Rockies RHP Dinelson Lamet (1-1, 12.66 ERA) at Diamondbacks TBA
7:40 p.m. Wednesday, Chase Field
TV: ATTRM
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM
Lamet struggled mightily as a reliever, walking 12 in 10 2/3 innings. Then he was placed on the 15-day injured list with what the Rockies called “back stiffness.” The Rockies hope that three rehab starts at Triple-A Albuquerque have fixed some of his command issues because the club really needs a starter not named Kyle Freeland to eat up some innings. Lamet has started before, most notably in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season when he went 3-1 in 12 starts, posted a 2.09 ERA and finished fourth in voting for the National League Cy Young Award.
Pitching probables
- Thursday: Rockies RHP Chase Anderson (0-0, 1.31) at Diamondbacks RHP Zach Davies (0-1, 5.68), 1:40 p.m., ATTRM
- Friday: Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (4-4, 7.00 at Royals RHP Jordan Lyles (0-9, 7.30), 6:10 p.m., ATTRM
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