The Rangers bullpen has been a question mark all season. Here is the honest assessment of every key arm.
The closer: Converted 28 of 32 save opportunities (87.5%). ERA of 2.88 with a 1.05 WHIP. The closer role is in good hands. His slider generates a 42% whiff rate, which is elite. Source: Baseball Savant.
Grade: A-minus. Reliable in the 9th inning, which is all you can ask.
Setup men (7th-8th inning): This is where the issues start. The primary setup man has a 3.92 ERA but his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) is 4.41, suggesting the ERA is actually flattering him. He has allowed 4 inherited runners to score this season. Source: FanGraphs.
The secondary setup man was acquired at the deadline and has been effective: 2.15 ERA in 14 appearances since joining the Rangers. He throws a sinker-slider combination that generates ground balls at a 58% rate.
Grade: B-minus combined. The deadline acquisition helped but the primary setup man remains a liability.
Middle relievers: The lefty specialist has a 3.25 ERA against left-handed batters (effective) but a 5.80 ERA against right-handed batters (unplayable). He can only be used in specific matchup situations.
The long reliever eats innings when the starter exits early: 4.12 ERA in 62 innings. Not spectacular but functional.
Grade: C-plus. Functional but not a strength.
The overall picture: The bullpen ERA of 3.92 ranks 15th in MLB -- league average. For a team with championship aspirations, league average is not good enough. Playoff bullpens need to be top-10.
Sources:
- Baseball Savant -- whiff rates and pitch data
- FanGraphs -- FIP and advanced pitching metrics
- Baseball Reference -- traditional stats
FIP of 4.41 on the primary setup man while the ERA is 3.92 means regression is coming. He is getting lucky with balls in play.