Call to the pen
Fansided

2019 MLB season overreactions: Reflections from Opening Week

By David Hill

SEATTLE, WA - MARCH 28: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after giving up a solo home run in the third inning during a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, March 28, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Rod Mar/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - MARCH 28: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after giving up a solo home run in the third inning during a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, March 28, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Rod Mar/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

The Nationals, Cubs, and Royals bullpens will be a disaster throughout the 2019 MLB season

Heading into the 2019 MLB season, it was expected that the Kansas City Royals pitching staff would struggle. The Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs had questions about their bullpens as well, but it was expected they would be able to find the pieces necessary to adjust, allowing those teams to maintain their status as contenders.

Instead, all three teams have been a dumpster fire when it comes to relief. Heading into Sunday’s action, the Nationals bullpen has posted a league worst 10.02 ERA, allowing 35 hits and 11 walks in 20.2 innings. Opponents have a .376 batting average against Nationals relievers. Trevor Rosenthal has faced seven batters this year – all of which have not only reached base, but scored as well.

The Cubs bullpen has only been slightly better. Their bullpen has a 9.51 ERA and a .317 batting average against, allowing 24 walks and 38 hits in 29.1 innings. Chicago has already taken steps to shake things up, sending Carl Edwards Jr. to AAA while bringing up Allen Webster and Kyle Ryan. Of course, it remains to be seen as to how much of an upgrade either player will be.

As for the Royals? This season was going to be difficult as they looked to find pieces for their future core, but the bullpen has been even more of a disaster than they could have imagined. Royals relievers have posted an 8.86 ERA with a .330 batting average against, allowing 29 hits and 20 walks in 21.1 innings. The Royals have either been ahead or tied in the sixth inning in four of their five losses, with their current 2-5 record squarely a byproduct of the bullpen.

In the case of the Cubs and Nationals, both bullpens should improve throughout the course of the season. Each team has the ability to make a trade or two, strengthening their weak link as they look to make the postseason. For the Royals, this season is a matter of finding pieces for the future; these struggles are likely to only continue.

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