MLB best: Top 5 Bullpens in the Game on Paper Right Now

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 2: A view of the Oakland Athletics bullpen during the game against the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on September 2, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Mariners 8-2. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

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CHICAGO, IL – JULY 07: Brandon Morrow #15 of the Chicago Cubs pumps his fist after the final out in their win against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field on July 7, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs won 8-7. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /

3. Chicago Cubs

I was kind of surprised to see the Chicago Cubs this high on my list. They don’t necessarily have that one big guy in the bullpen, but instead, they spread it out with several solid arms.

Last season they finished second in all of MLB with a bullpen ERA of 3.35, but they were 16th in strikeouts with 564 in 588.1 bullpen innings.

So even though they don’t dominate you with electric stuff, they find ways to get hitters out.

Brandon Morrow only managed to pitch in 35 games last year but had a 1.47 ERA in 30.2 innings with 31 strikeouts and 22 saves.

Pedro Strop just continues to be one of the most consistent relievers in baseball after posting an ERA of 2.26 in 2018 over 59.2 innings with 57 strikeouts, 13 saves, and WHIP of 0.99.

Carl Edwards Jr. has maybe the best stuff of the bunch after striking out 67 batters in 52 innings last year to go along with an ERA of 2.60.

Steve Cishek, who has experience as a closer, was lights out for the Cubs last year with a 2.18 ERA in 70.1 innings pitched (80 appearances) with 78 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.04.

And then you can throw Brandon Kintzler into the mix as well. I know he struggled in 2018, but his career numbers show that he can get guys out. I think he bounces back and has a solid season in 2019.

That’s just a lot of high quality arms that the Cubs can throw out there to end a game.

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