A bolstered bullpen makes the Reds virtually unbeatable

The Reds last season coasted to the postseason thanks in large part to an almost unstoppable bullpen. Aroldis Chapman, Sean Marshall, Jonathan Broxton, Jose Arredondo, and Alfredo Simon each had ERA's under 3, and Chapman also had 38 saves. The bullpen this season has been much less reliable. Broxton blew a lead and a chance for a sweep of the Pirates yesterday, but there have been problems in the pen all season long.

Sean Marshall has bounced on and off the DL this season, leaving the Reds without a solid 7th inning man and a premier left handed specialist. Marshall has long been considered the best against lefties out of the bullpen in the game, and having to use Manny Parra in that role has caused the team to struggle somewhat. Parra has a 6.23 ERA in 10 appearances. Neither Broxton, Chapman, nor Logan Ondrusek have been nearly as effective this season. Chapman has blown 2 saves at this juncture and has looked disinterested on the mound at times. Broxton has looked lost on the mound for most of this year. His best pitch, the fastball, has seen a decrease in velocity of at least 3 miles per hour. Broxton has allowed an opponents batting average of .241 and has an ERA of 4.63. Arredondo has been suspended this season by the Reds' Triple A affiliate, and Ondrusek didn't even make the opening day roster.

Sam LeCure has by far been the Reds' most reliable bullpen pitcher. He picked up his long man role from last season right where he left off with a 1.16 ERA in 23.1 innings pitched. LeCure has tremendous control of his pitches and is as crafty a pitcher as any. Alfredo Simon and JJ Hoover are also decent options for the team, although I wouldn't put them in the game in a tight situation in the ladder innings. The Reds better hope Broxton finds himself as the summer moves along after the team invested in the big man for two more years. Chapman and Broxton were in such a rhythm last season in the 8th and 9th innings that the game was virtually over after the 7th if the Reds had the lead. The Reds are one of the best pitching teams in the majors, but unless the bullpen gets a little better, the outings the starters have provided the team won't matter much.