Top Bullpens in 2015: American League
Last time we looked at the five best looking bullpens of the National League, and they don’t look bad. Still, they have their work cut out for them, because the American League, by comparison, looks absolutely monstrous! Here’s how five best are shaking out.
Yankees
Never short on talent in the ‘pen, the Yanks are, as always, looking for a strong showing this go-around. They’re banking in a big way (to the tune of $36 million over four years) on the their new acquisition, Andrew Miller, to shut it down after Dellin Betances sets it up, a safe bet after such a solid rookie year. Besides that dynamic duo, the Bronx Bombers are hoping Justin Wilson makes up for the loss of David Robertson and balances out the plate opposite Adam Warren and David Carpenter.
Orioles
Teams are oftentimes in danger of losing their best pitchers, too often to the Yankees, as happened with afore mentioned Andrew Miller. Despite the loss, Baltimore’s bullpen is still one to be desired. Zach Britton deftly moved into the full-time closer position in 2014 and racked up 37 saves with a 1.65 ERA. Plus, you can look for the O’s to have a top-rated relief ERA this season, as long as Brian Matusz, Darren O’Day, and Tommy Hunter keep doing what they do so well. And if Brad Brach’s breakout season carries over, that’s just icing on the cake.
Mariners
The Mariners’ relief team made a lasting impression in 2014 with the best ERA in Major League Baseball at 2.60. Their bullpen is full of hard throwers and with talents like 2.17 ERA Dominic Leone and Danny Farquhar, who struck out better than 10 batters per game, the M’s are a force to be reckoned with. And it goes without saying that Seattle fans are hoping that Fernando Rodney’s quiver is full of arrows again for this season.
A’s
Sean Doolittle will surely be missed early in the season, but the depth behind him should readily make up for him. Lefties Eric O’Flaherty and Fernando Abad boast gorgeous ERAs (2.25 and 1.57, respectively) and righties Ryan Cook and Dan Otero both have WHIPs just over 1. Couple that with the newly acquired super star Tyler Clippard and you’re in for an imposing mound presence.
Royals
Luke Hochevar is back from Tommy John surgery and looking to replicate his 2013 ERA of 1.92. He’s joining a stable of thoroughbreds in Kansas City and you can expect them to dominate AL Central this season. Reliever Wade Davis posted an incredibly season last year with a 1.00 ERA, only 5 extra-base hits, and zero homers! Kelvin Herrera ended the year with a 1.41 ERA and Greg Holland remains one of the most consistent closers in recent memory. With Jason Frasor returning to take care of the middle innings, the Royals are poised for another powerful showing.
The weather’s getting warmer, so crawl out of your cave and gear up at Rukket.com, because it going to be an exciting season on the diamond…and the American League pitching force is raring to explode!
