Colorado Rockies: the importance of a good bullpen in the postseason

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World Series teams

Of World Series winners since 2000, only three of the 17 World Champions had a bullpen ERA that was higher than league average (the 2003 Florida Marlins, 2011 St. Louis Cardinals, and 2013 Boston Red Sox).

The reliance on bullpens has been more predominant in the past three seasons and it has been talked about more in the past three seasons. The worst bullpen ERA of a team appearing the World Series since 2014 is the 2016 Chicago Cubs. They were 8th in baseball with a bullpen ERA was 3.56 (the 2015 Mets were 11th in baseball but their ERA was 3.48).

Final Thoughts

The Rockies bullpen, even though they blew Sunday’s game against the Padres, has done better in August and September but considering that the Rockies starting pitching staff has struggled, you have to wonder if the bullpen will be relied on too heavily. The Cleveland Indians had to do that out of necessity in the postseason last year due to injuries to some of their starters. They couldn’t seal the deal with the World Series Championship last year and they have had injuries to some of their bullpen pieces (e.g. Andrew Miller) this season.

Next: Is Tyler Chatwood the Rockies second best starter going into the postseason?

I think that long relievers Chris Rusin and starters who will be relievers in the postseason will be of particular importance in the event that the rotation falters. You just hope that the bullpen can hold up. If they do, the Rockies could advance far into the postseason.