Bullpens

No one said pitching in the NL East was going to be easy, but this? Super tough weekend for all bullpens involved.Putting the Mets' surprising 14-6 record aside for one moment, you could argue this is the toughest division in baseball right now. The Marlins' bullpen is a mess, and the Braves' situation hasn't looked much better, which really makes Jeurys Familia's rise back to Top 5 closer stardom all the more impressive.After 11.1 untouchable innings, though, Familia faltered over the weekend. Here we were thinking…

What a start to the season for the Brads of baseball. Closers Brad Hand, Brad Boxberger, and Brad Brach all rank inside the top 10 in saves after three weeks, and since they've allowed just four earned runs between them, you're staring at three of the most dominant closers to start the season.Boxberger and his 37% strikeout rate has been particularly impressive, whiffing at least one hitter in each of his seven one-inning appearances. That's come with a 2.54 K/BB ratio, and, more importantly, Boxberger has accomplished…

Out of breath yet? Welcome to Opening Week, where the games finally matter and the chase for saves is already on! The closer drama continued right up until Opening Day, leaving owners with some last minute decisions to make before lineups locked on Thursday. If you were one of the people who drafted Greg Holland, grew impatient, and then dropped him, sucks to be you, because he landed a job after all. The Cardinals signed the 32-year old to a one-year deal prior to their opener against the Mets, throwing fantasy bullpens…

You know something, we’re pretty spoiled for choice at reliever. No matter your draft strategy, you have a good chance to walk away with a reliable closer if you play your cards smart this season.Last season tells us Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel are in another galaxy of their own, but for those of us left here on earth, last year also tells us that reaching for an elite closer isn’t always the best strategy come draft day. Injuries and pitchers go hand in hand — see Jeurys Familia, Mark Melancon, and Zach Britton for…

You know something, we're pretty spoiled for choice at reliever. No matter your draft strategy, you have a good chance to walk away with a reliable closer if you play your cards smart this season.Last season tells us Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel are in another galaxy of their own, but for those of us left here on earth, last year also tells us that reaching for an elite closer isn't always the best strategy come draft day. Injuries and pitchers go hand in hand -- see Jeurys Familia, Mark Melancon, and Zach Britton for…