Now that we are approximately two months into the 2010 Major League Baseball season, I thought it would be a good time to share which team’s bullpens are getting the job done. As baseball sports investors, it is critically important to remember the importance of relief pitching, especially in an era of strict pitch counts. Please find below the Top 10 Major League Baseball Bullpens through June 8, 2010 (in no particular order):
BULLPENS WORTHY OF AN INVESTMENT
- Colorado Rockies – The Rockies’ bullpen has garnered a 3.09 ERA and 1.186 WHIP this season, including a 2.98 ERA and 1.077 WHIP at home and a 3.58 ERA and 1.306 WHIP at night.
- San Diego Padres – San Diego relievers own a 2.70 ERA and 1.042 WHIP this season, including a 2.92 ERA and 1.182 WHIP on the road and a 2.70 ERA and 1.066 WHIP at night.
- Minnesota Twins – The Twins’ bullpen has compiled a 2.98 ERA and 1.121 WHIP this season, including a 2.74 ERA and 1.029 WHIP at home, a 2.53 ERA and 1.187 WHIP versus division opponents and a 2.46 ERA and 1.105 WHIP at night.
- Detroit Tigers – Detroit relievers performed admirably this season as evidenced by their 2.78 ERA and 1.266 WHIP, including a 2.29 ERA and 1.258 WHIP on the road, a 2.40 ERA and 1.267 WHIP versus division foes and a 2.77 ERA and 1.286 WHIP at night.
- Texas Rangers – The Rangers’ bullpen has garnered a solid 3.84 ERA and 1.393 WHIP this season, including a 2.08 ERA and 1.133 WHIP versus division opponents.
- Philadelphia Phillies – Philadelphia relievers have been solid this season with a 3.53 ERA and 1.329 WHIP, including a 3.36 ERA and 1.088 WHIP at home and a 3.43 ERA and 1.243 WHIP at night.
- St. Louis Cardinals – The Cardinals’ bullpen has compiled an impressive 3.17 ERA and 1.172 WHIP in 2010, including a 3.60 ERA and 1.307 WHIP on the road and a 3.28 ERA and 1.246 WHIP at night.
- Atlanta Braves – Braves’ relievers own a 3.24 ERA and 1.250 WHIP this season, including a 3.10 ERA and 1.351 WHIP at night and a 3.24 ERA and 1.250 WHIP on grass.
- Tampa Bay Rays – Tampa Bay barely made the cut as the Rays’ bullpen has struggled both at home and against division opponents this season. However, the Rays’ bullpen owns a 3.23 ERA and 1.151 WHIP in 2010, including a 3.02 ERA and 1.137 WHIP at night.
- San Francisco Giants – Like the Rays, San Francisco just made the cut as the Giants have struggled on the road this season. However, San Francisco relievers have put together a solid season as evidenced by their 3.25 ERA and 1.346 WHIP, including a 3.21 ERA and 1.295 WHIP at night.
The next time you go to place a wager on a baseball game, be sure to take note of the team’s respective bullpens as there is nothing worse than losing a game in the final 3-6 outs.