Pirates Have New Answer in Middle Relief

Using his four pitches ended up making his fastball more dangerous, averaging 99.3 mph on it and posting two of his four strikeouts. He also got three whiffs on five swings on his cutter with a strikeout and added another strikeout on his slider

Even more vital to his success was how he located his pitches against the Twins, something he had focused on prior.

"Location. Pitch location for sure," Dotel said through interpreter Stephen Morales. "That's one of the things that we were working on in the bullpen before the game. So that was the mentality when I got on the mound - pitch location.

Dotel Now the Pirates Answer in Middle Relief

The Pirates bullpen has had a rough month of May, with a 4.66 ERA and a few games that they've not finished well in, leading to losses this team can't take if they want to fulfill their playoff aspirations.

Dotel has been fantastic in his two stints this season, posting a 1.32 ERA over six outings and 13.2 innings pitched, 14 strikeouts to three walks, a .146 batting average allowed (BAA) and a 0.73 WHIP.

It's even more impressive considering that Dotel has spent little time in this relief role, starting 85 of 101 games in his minor league career.

He's not only performing well in this role, but showing that he's loving it as well, displaying no timidity in his pitching and looking like a veteran on the mound.

"Yeah, my mentality is just to treat it as nothing different," Dotel said. :When I'm on the mound, I attack hitters, attack the strike zone. I see no difference. That's my mentality right now.

The Pirates now have an improved bullpen with Dotel, but also with Carmen Mlodzinski returning and able to serve a similar role as Dotel.

Dotel's also played a huge role in his last two outings for the Pirates, shutting down the Cubs in the 2-1 victory, a tough spot for a rookie, and then allowing the Pirates a chance to win late on vs. the Twins, which they took.

Pirates fans are now quickly aware of Dotel and the presence and work he provides on the mound, making him a key part of a team that could achieve something special this season.

"It feels really good actually," Dotel said on his time with the Pirates. "That's why we work the way we do in the minors, to become a big league pitcher and prepare ourselves for situations like this. I feel good again."