Let’s get the formalities out of the way: yes, we’re 14 games into the season and yes, we’re talking about (ridiculously) small sample sizes. But, to answer my own question: No, it’s definitely not too early to get excited about the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen.
In 49.1 innings pitched entering Tuesday, the Dodgers bullpen has allowed eight earned runs, 32 hits and issued 12 walks, all good for a 1.46 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. The group has also combined to strike out 59 batters.
Of the nine relievers to pitch out of the bullpen this season, five have yet to allow a run, and none has allowed more than three runs. But even these numbers don’t begin to tell the complete story.
Among the most impressive parts about this year’s bullpen is both the depth and the versatility. Take, for example, Josh Fields.
When it came time to formally set the 25-man Opening Day roster, Fields was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. When Rich Hill was placed on the disabled list (the first time), however, and Alex Wood moved from the bullpen to the rotation, Fields was recalled.
And he was fantastic. In four games and three total innings, Fields faced 11 batters, striking out six of them while allowing just one hit and no walks. Somehow, that equates to a -0.07 FIP.
When Hill and Pedro Baez returned from injuries, Fields was sent back down to the Minors. But why? How could you send someone performing that well back? Well, who else would you send to Oklahoma City?
Luis Avilan has appeared in seven games, faced 20 batters and allowed only five to reach base. Grant Dayton has also appeared in seven games, faced 24 batters, and allowed just five to reach base. Neither has allowed a run.
Then there are the two weak links to the bullpen thus far. Kenley Jansen and Sergio Romo have each allowed two earned runs, but something tells me both of their jobs are safe.
That brings us to Ross Stripling, Wood and Chris Hatcher and the second amazing aspect about this year’s bullpen: the versatility.
Between the aforementioned trio, we’ve seen 12 relief appearances; Wood also made one start. In all but one of the relief appearances, Hatcher, Stripling or Wood have recorded a minimum of four outs. Of those 11 games, only three have included an earned run allowed.
For Hatcher, the season began as many expected it would: shakily. His first appearance was two innings long but he gave up three hits and a run on Opening Day. Hatcher responded, however, by allowing just three hits and striking out seven in his next four appearances (five innings).
Of course, in Monday’s loss, when stretched out for 2.2 innings of relief work, some of the risk that comes with Hatcher reared its head again. Granted, he was put in a difficult position as the Dodgers were without most of their bullpen.
The biggest surprise, however, I think has been the emergence of Stripling and Wood as dominant weapons in long relief. In two relief appearances, Wood has gone 5.1 innings allowing, zero hits, issuing one walk and striking out four.
Stripling, on the other hand, has pitched 8.2 innings over five appearances. Three of which didn’t include a single baserunner allowed. He has also struck out 13 while walking just one.
And when you remember that Wood and Stripling are essentially No. 7 and 8 on the starting pitching totem pole — when you include Julio Urias — it should tell you something about the embarrassment of riches the Dodgers have.
Last season, the Dodger bullpen finished the year with the best ERA in the Majors (3.35), the most innings pitched (590.2) and the most strikeouts (633).
What’s fascinating about those numbers is that four of the six most-used relievers last season are either in the Minors or on another team’s roster. Joe Blanton, J.P. Howell and Louis Coleman are no longer with the organization, while Adam Liberatore has four scoreless appearances in Oklahoma City.
Despite the turnover, the Dodgers are somehow better off than they were a year ago.
So yes, it’s only 14 games, but, the more I look at this group I can’t help but come back to the same conclusion: no, it’s definitely not too early to get excited about the bullpen.
