2021-04-23: Brewers (Anderson) at Cubs (Hendricks) [Brewers lose, 15-2 -- Anderson leaves with an apparent injury after recording just one out]

[SomewhereInTime]

Then if you look at the guys who pitch when the game is on the line (Hader, JP, Boxberger, Suter) and see that they have a combined 33 IP with 9 runs allowed, it makes me not all that worried about the bullpen right now.

[SomewhereInTime]

You do understand though that if we're looking at the pen as a whole, a guy like Devin Williams who has given up 4 runs in 5.2 innings and Yardley who has given up 5 runs in 7 innings maybe get outweighed a little by Lindblom who has now allowed 13 runs in 10.2 innings?

 

Absolutely. I don't look at Devin nearly the way I look at the bottom of the pen. I think Devin is still going to be a fantastic late inning option. I'm less high on a guy like Yardley.

 

I only brought him up because he is a guy with an era over 6 right now

[adambr2]

Then if you look at the guys who pitch when the game is on the line (Hader, JP, Boxberger, Suter) and see that they have a combined 33 IP with 9 runs allowed, it makes me not all that worried about the bullpen right now.

 

That's literally ERA. You can't discount ERA when it's bad only to cite it when it's good. By the same token that we shouldn't judge Devin based on his numbers so far this year (which I agree with), are you really that confident in someone like Brad Boxberger over the course of a full season?

[SomewhereInTime]

Then if you look at the guys who pitch when the game is on the line (Hader, JP, Boxberger, Suter) and see that they have a combined 33 IP with 9 runs allowed, it makes me not all that worried about the bullpen right now.

 

That's literally ERA. You can't discount ERA when it's bad only to cite it when it's good. By the same token that we shouldn't judge Devin based on his numbers so far this year (which I agree with), are you really that confident in someone like Brad Boxberger over the course of a full season?

 

Technically it's RA.

 

But the point I'm trying to make here is if they are getting outs in the high leverage spots, that's not a bad bullpen. The ERA may be higher than you'd like but it's weighed down heavily by Lindblom.

[SRB]

Can't be too hard on Lindblom. I imagine it must be difficult to effectively be asked to come in and start a game with no advance notice. I hope he has a chance to prove himself back in the starting rotation now that Anderson is injured.

[adambr2]

Speaking of bullpen help, (timing is probably coincidental but hey, maybe not), Jeremy Jeffress expressed frustration and confusion tonight at the total lack of interest from any MLB team in him.

 

I'm with Jeremy. He pitched well for the Cubs last year, he's generally always pitched well for us, and I've never gotten any indication that he isn't a good teammate. Are you telling me this guy couldn't come in right now and be better than some of our existing options?

[Cool Hand Lucroy]

Speaking of bullpen help, (timing is probably coincidental but hey, maybe not), Jeremy Jeffress expressed frustration and confusion tonight at the total lack of interest from any MLB team in him.

 

I'm with Jeremy. He pitched well for the Cubs last year, he's generally always pitched well for us, and I've never gotten any indication that he isn't a good teammate. Are you telling me this guy couldn't come in right now and be better than some of our existing options?

 

Yeah, really surprised someone isn't giving JJ some sort of shot. So many teams need to cover so many innings that you'd think someone would take a flyer. Maybe asking price was a bit high?

 

I don't think he'd help much near-term, and then it's a matter of $$$. But it is surprising to me that SOMEONE hasn't called...