Blue Jays: The importance of the back end of the bullpen

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The Toronto Blue Jays are laying it on key contending opponents, showing their ability to capitalize on situations and the ability to close out games with productivity and a decent selection in arms. It is obvious of the all-around danger of the Blue Jays lineup; however, the back end of the bullpen does not get enough credit or attention in game scenario.

The Blue Jays starting rotation is displaying elite level performance and is easily the best rotation in the American League if not the entire Major Leagues. Toronto starters have a combined 12-8 record while the team sits third in the American League East at 18-9. The rotation has taken a hard turn in the right direction with questionable arms finding their groove. Jose Berrios has flipped the table with his last two starts being brilliant, and Yusei Kikuchi is undefeated with a 4-0 record.

Blue Jays late game bullpen plan will set up for further success but will melt if the wrong arms are slotted in the wrong scenarios

We must give some credit to the Blue Jays bullpen with regards to the late inning options. Early in the season, Blue Jays nation was skeptical about the bullpen options and reliability. Toronto starters found their way out of games early and the pen stacked up in innings to finish the fight. After a few relieving hiccups, the Blue Jays bullpen was in serious question. It seems that Blue Jays manager John Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker have illustrated a route to land late-game closeouts with select arms and they need to stick to their guns.

It is always a gamble when the phone rings down in left field as you may never know what you’re getting with the guys that trot out of that gate. For instance, the Blue Jays took an 8-5 lead into the 7th inning of game 3 on Sunday against the Mariners. After a rough Chris Bassitt five inning outing, the Jays called upon Trevor Richards who pitched two innings giving up two hits, one run on a homer. Anthony Bass then entered to 0.2 innings giving away up two runs, one being earned on a homer, along with Yimi Garcia in 1.1 innings with a walk, a hit, and one earned run, and also Zach Pop who saw an inning and also allowed two runs, one being earned on a homerun. The Blue Jays dropped this one 10-8 in extra innings.

Such a bullpen performance is atrocious and should not happen. This is what occurs when arms are deployed in spots they should not be. In this game the Blue Jays were meager with bullpen arms, partially due to the 10-inning game the day before where three relievers were used including their closer.

In an ideal must win game, the Blue Jays should line up relief with Yimi Garcia or Zach Pop right off the bat, followed by potential set up by Erik Swanson and closed out by Jordan Romano. The closer role can be vice-versa with Swanson and Romano depending on availability. The Blue Jays bullpen will be working progress until the arms find their zone and management understands where the pieces will fit.