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The Giants’ Improved Bullpen

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Gabe Vaughan | Last updated 7/20/23

At the start of the 2023 season, the San Francisco Giants bullpen was a disaster. They weren’t able to get outs when most needed in the late innings. Taylor Rogers in particular was hardly proving to be worth the money the Giants were paying him. Tyler Rogers was able to keep his ERA low, but there were still some crucial situations that went wrong with him in the game. You really couldn’t trust anyone else, with the exception of Camilo Doval, who still got the save most of the time. But an improved bullpen has played a major role in putting the Giants where they currently are.

Now, the Rogers brothers and Doval are just about lights out. Scott Alexander can also be an effective arm when he is called on. Even Ryan Walker looks like he might be ready for regular late-inning work.

An Improved Bullpen Has Helped the Giants

First Off: Avoid a Misunderstanding

None of this information should be taken to mean that the Giants can continue to manage by having “bullpen days.” For one thing, this method puts a strain on everybody. As the postseason race gets ever closer to its peak of intensity, the Giants have to make sure that their pitchers are well-rested.

Logan Webb and Alex Cobb stand as the only two pitchers that can be consistently counted on to go at least six innings in games. The Giants do appear to be stretching Ross Stripling out a bit. While there is a chance that he will improve somewhat, the team hopefully will not continue with this new plan if it clearly fails. And it’s certainly best to continue removing Stripling when he gets into trouble, even if it does end up an exhausting game for the pen. But anything the Giants can do to help fill the holes in their rotation with quality pitching would be a good thing.

Bullpen ERAs from April 16 through yesterday:

1. Phillies, 3.17
2. Giants, 3.40
3. Yankees, 3.45
4. Guardians, 3.47
5. Braves, 3.57

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 18, 2023

The Giants’ Bullpen Has Helped Them Win Multiple Close Games

So we dealt with the issue of what this does not mean. Now, it’s time to look at the encouraging reality of an improved bullpen. It used to be that the Giants just couldn’t win extra-inning games. But now, the Giants have taken the win in several key late and extra-inning games.

We’re in late July. This time corresponds to the Giants’ worst point of last year. They fell on a losing skid right before the trade deadline. What was one major reason for their failure? The Giants absolutely could not pitch out of jams with runners on base. It ruined their chances of buying at the deadline.

Leverage can be everything. When the Giants have relievers that can handle high-pressure situations, they can be contenders. Things appear far more promising now than they did a year ago.

For Further Reinforcement

It is not likely that many would give significant consideration to this idea, but couldn’t Anthony DeSclafani be moved to the bullpen? In fact, it might be largely to the Giants’ benefit to have him as an extra arm for the seventh or eighth inning.

In spring training, it looked like Disco would come back sharp. But he has been disappointing lately. And yet the stuff might still be there. It might help him if he can focus on a role in which his responsibility is to throw out all he’s got rather than having to pace himself. As it is, he isn’t consistent at pitching deep into games.

And it seems practical for Keaton Winn to take his place in the rotation. Far better, no doubt, than having it vice-versa. Winn has the potential to develop into a long-term starter for the Giants. And he needs to continue to pitch in that role whether in the majors or minors. Again, this idea has to be taken with a grain of caution. Winn can only continue to pitch in the majors if he is effective. We wouldn’t want him to become like Tyler Beede in 2019; struggling and slumping and still pitching every five days.

The Giants’ improved bullpen has been a major factor in getting them into postseason contention. But there is still a lot to think about. The postseason race will only get more intense as the weeks go by.

Taylor Rogers, Tyler Rogers, Camilo Doval, Scott Alexander, Ryan Walker, Logan Webb, Alex Cobb, Ross Stripling, Anthony DeSclafani, Keaton Winn, Tyler Beede