Page 23 - ARUBA TODAY

SPORTS Wednesday 4 OctOber 2017
A23

Bullpen aces

Continued from Page 18 even quicker with the hook
and Colorado’s Chris in recent postseasons.
Rusin (2.65 ERA) has reli- Some of that is about pitch
ably gotten six or more counts and injuries, but it’s
outs in the middle innings, also because managers
too.“Especially with what want certain relievers in
you saw with Miller last the game sooner.
year, sometimes the big Take it from the hitters’ per-
out is in the fifth inning,” spective: facing someone
Green said. “That might be like Miller, Green or Deven-
the big inning.” ski isn’t much of a reward
The threat of playoff elimi- for chasing away those
nation is often a catalyst starters.
for creativity. Last year, Green has been particu-
traditional one-inning clos- larly dominant in those
ers like Kenley Jansen and middle innings this season.
Aroldis Chapman were The 26-year-old has qui-
stretched for eight or nine etly dominated in a bull-
outs at times, Dodgers pen headlined by All-Stars
manager Dave Roberts Chapman, Dellin Betances
called on ace Clayton Ker- and David Robertson.
shaw for a save in Game 5 He has the best ERA out In this Friday, Sept. 29, 2017, file photo, Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Andrew Miller delivers in
of an NL Division Series, and of that group this year de- the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Cleveland.
Cubs lefty Jon Lester made spite averaging more than Associated Press
his first relief appearance five outs per appearance. ASTROS ARCHIE BRADLEY, ARIZONA ing 1.88 away from Coors
in nearly a decade during Green has struck out 40.7 Devenski grabbed base- DIAMONDBACKS Field. The left-hander is a
Game 7 of the World Se- percent of his batters, ball’s attention by opening The bush-bearded Bradley groundball machine and
ries. trailing only closers Craig the season with a pair of has a 1.73 ERA over 73 in- keeps his pitch count down
Francona is as bold an in- Kimbrel, Jansen and Co- overpowering four-inning nings, averaging more than by challenging hitters ear-
novator as any manager, rey Knebel among pitch- relief appearances and three outs per appearance ly. Four times this year, he
and Miller might be his ers with at least 60 innings. pitched his way into the All- while pitching anywhere pitched at least three in-
most fruitful playoff trial. He’s also earned manager Star Game. A right-hander between the fifth and ninth nings out of the bullpen
Miller’s transition to middle Joe Girardi’s trust in big with a devastating chan- innings. He’s been used in without topping 37 pitches,
relief last fall keyed Cleve- spots by consistently throw- geup, he’s thrown over 80 a more traditional setup and he’s even gone mul-
land’s run to the Series, with ing strikes. innings out of the bullpen role of late, but after throw- tiple innings while throwing
Miller — formerly an elite “He doesn’t beat himself,” each of the past two years ing 182 1/3 innings last year, on consecutive days.
closer — eagerly enter- Girardi said. and ranks seventh among Bradley should have the DAVID PRICE, BOSTON RED
ing games as soon as the A starter in the minor relievers with 3.6 wins stamina for a heavy work- SOX
fifth and powering through leagues, Green hasn’t above replacement in that load in the playoffs. Price’s situation is different,
two-plus innings. ruled out a return to the ro- span, per Fangraphs . The MIKE MONTGOMERY, CHI- but his impact could be
Miller’s success has put tation one day — he says names ahead of him? Jan- CAGO CUBS similar.
long relief in a new light. he’ll go wherever New York sen, Miller, Roberto Osuna, Montgomery got a one- Price has struggled, been
“It is changing the percep- wants him. In the mean- Kimbrel, Chapman and out save in Game 7 of last hurt and feuded with the
tion, for sure,” said Mont- time, he’s bought into the Betances. year’s World Series, but he media this year. But since
gomery, who has split time idea that he can make Devenski has become a also had three multi-inning ending his most recent DL
between the bullpen and critical contributions in the fan favorite in Houston, too, relief outings in the playoffs stint, he’s proven useful in
rotation the past two sea- middle of games. despite only saving five and could get even more the bullpen, pitching shut-
sons. “Games can be won or lost games in his career. He got of those this year after an out ball over 8 2/3 relief in-
“I guess people look at in the fifth or sixth innings his own bobblehead doll in impressive season of bull- nings in September. Long
long relief as the mop-up because you’re getting June, and some supporters pen work. Montgomery relief might not be the role
duty,” he added. “I guess to guys in the back of the have even worn “energy moved in and out of the Boston envisioned when
him and maybe with the bullpen that are lights out,” dome “ hats, popularized rotation but had a 2.49 ERA Price signed a $217 million
help of me, we’re chang- he said. “Teams might use in the 1980s by the band while pitching 61 1/3 in- seven-year deal prior to the
ing it to where you can their pinch hitter in the fifth DEVO, as a nod to Deven- nings over 30 relief outings. 2016 season, but the 2012
pitch long relief in higher or sixth and not wait until ski’s “Devo” nickname. CHRIS RUSIN, COLORADO AL Cy Young Award winner
leverage situations.” the ninth.” Also of note: Devenski isn’t ROCKIES could be an asset there.
Pitcher usage is changing A look at some of the other Houston’s only quality long Rusin has been a workhorse Plus, he has experience as
across the board. Starters fireman relievers who could relief option. Joe Musgrove in Colorado’s bullpen, fin- a playoff reliever — in 2008
covered an all-time low 5.5 shine this postseason: has a 1.44 ERA as a reliever ishing second in the majors as a rookie with Tampa Bay
innings per game this year, ___ this season while working with 85 relief innings while and in 2015 ALDS Game 4
and teams have been CHRIS DEVENSKI, HOUSTON 1.4 innings per relief outing. posting a 2.65 ERA, includ- with Toronto.q