Bullpen - the strength of 2023?

[imref]

Just checked up on Erasmo Ramirez, now pitching for AA Durham in the Rays organization: 20.2 IP, 5.66 ERA

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Im gonna go ahead and say that Abbott doesnt belong in the A bullpen

In fairness, Thompson dug the hole and put the captive in it. Abbott just whacked him with his shovel and put dirt on it.

[Slateman]

Ryan Tepera was DFA'd by the Cards. Worth a look.

[Natsinpwc]

Ryan Tepera was DFA'd by the Cards. Worth a look.

Nats passed over Cabrera. He went to the Jays.  We don’t need pitching I guess.

[imref]

We did sign Nash Walters

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Ryan Tepera was DFA'd by the Cards. Worth a look.

no question. maybe hickey can work some magic

[Natsinpwc]

We did sign Nash Walters

Wasn’t that a tv show?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oZZ_U3qnt8E&pp=ygUXbmFzaCBicmlkZ2VzIHRoZW1lIHNvbmc%3D

[catocony]

On the other hand, the Nats have still used only 6 starters, and none have been injured.  Gore had a blister and that's about it. 

[welch]

Talk Nats has an analysis of the bullpen: after the 5th inning, Davey faces an ugly choice. Push the starter to the 6th or the 7th? Or turn to a bullpen with 20 blown saves on the year?

https://www.talknats.com/2023/07/28/another-blown-save-loss-ruined-a-gem/

[imref]

Talk Nats has an analysis of the bullpen: after the 5th inning, Davey faces an ugly choice. Push the starter to the 6th or the 7th? Or turn to a bullpen with 20 blown saves on the year?

https://www.talknats.com/2023/07/28/another-blown-save-loss-ruined-a-gem/

so we're a ~.500 team and maybe on the edge of a wild card spot with a decent bullpen.  That at least is promising for next year. Rizzo has to do everything he can to upgrade the pen going into next year.

[Five Banners]

Rizzo has to do everything he can to upgrade the pen going into next year.

A familiar refrain

[imref]

A familiar refrain

true, but we've had decent if not excellent bullpens in the past. And we might be five or so games ahead of where we are now if not for Edwards and Harvey getting hurt.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Talk Nats has an analysis of the bullpen: after the 5th inning, Davey faces an ugly choice. Push the starter to the 6th or the 7th? Or turn to a bullpen with 20 blown saves on the year?

https://www.talknats.com/2023/07/28/another-blown-save-loss-ruined-a-gem/

of the 20 blown saves, 12 are on Finnegan (7) and Harvey (5), with another 2 on Edwards.  Erasmo and Kuhl account for 2 more (for the record, Thompson has 3 and Ferrer 1).  Can't blame the dregs of the bullpen for the problem. It's largely unconnected to the 7th inning problem because Finnegan and Harvey are rarely used there.

That said, there's a bridge problem for sure. Weems, Ferrer, and La Sorsa seem to be doing the job OK. Maybe ease off on Thompson for higher leverage for a while and use him more as a multi inning bridge. Essentially reverse roles with Weems and the lefties. While HArvey's out, mix and match for the 7th and 8th.

[Slateman]

Uh .... yea, we can. The reason Harvey and Finnegan have so many blown saves is because everyone else is so bad, Davey doesnt trust them in a close game. Theyre getting overused.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

on the broadcast today, either Frandsen or Kolko noted that, of the original bullpen, only Finnegan was active today. Thompson, Harvey, Edwards, and Ward IL'd, Hobie Harris in the minors, Banda I think in AAA but off the roster, Erasmo released.

Three depth pieces we thought we had going into the spring, Doolittle, Arano and Brzykcy, were hurt by the end of spring and a fourth, Cronin, never was really right and has been out since May. Doo was the only one to progress to throwing this year.

Tanner Rainey has been IL'd since the start of the year but is now rehabbing and may make it back.

Current bullpen is Finnegan, Weems, Machado, Ferrer, La Sorsa, Robert Garcia, and Abbott.

Suave Rico Garcia also on the IL now.

[welch]

And Robert Garcia looked good today.

But who pitches tomorrow night in Philadelphia? Can't be Weems and Finnegan, so...more Robert Garcia, some Ferrer, plus Abbott?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

And Robert Garcia looked good today.

But who pitches tomorrow night in Philadelphia? Can't be Weems and Finnegan, so...more Robert Garcia, some Ferrer, plus Abbott?

Corbin perhaps gives up his start if he has to. Garcia threw a lot of pitches, so Ferrer, La Sorsa, Abbott, maybe Machado or Weems. The demotion of Willingham was a surprise to me. His last really bad outing was 7/18.  Since then, 5 IP, 5 appearances, 2 runs, 6 Ks, 2 BBs.

[GataNats]

Corbin perhaps gives up his start if he has to. Garcia threw a lot of pitches, so Ferrer, La Sorsa, Abbott, maybe Machado or Weems. The demotion of Willingham was a surprise to me. His last really bad outing was 7/18.  Since then, 5 IP, 5 appearances, 2 runs, 6 Ks, 2 BBs.

Weems won’t be pitching four days in a row.   Davey might throw Machado out there because he’s been awful all year outside of the past 3 games

[Slateman]

Corbin perhaps gives up his start if he has to. Garcia threw a lot of pitches, so Ferrer, La Sorsa, Abbott, maybe Machado or Weems. The demotion of Willingham was a surprise to me. His last really bad outing was 7/18.  Since then, 5 IP, 5 appearances, 2 runs, 6 Ks, 2 BBs.

None of Willingham's pitches look competitive at MLB level. Even in his good outings

[Senatorswin]

Not a lot of confidence in this four game series coming up. What's left of the backend of the bullpen has to be spent. Who's coming in if the Nats are up in the 7th inning on. I also have a feeling Trea is going to get right during this series.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

None of Willingham's pitches look competitive at MLB level. Even in his good outings

literally the dude had a right arm and Philly hadn't seen him. All they need is a guy to pitch to a couple of righties if La Sorsa or Ferrer can't get through an inning

[imref]

Abbott, Ferrer, LaSorsa, and Machado should be available tonight. Weems and Finnegan most likely aren't available. Sure would be nice to have one more arm in the pen.

[welch]

Didn't Machado pitch Friday, Saturday and Sunday? That's what my foggy memory tells me, although it was one inning each.

My hunch is Abbott, Ferrer, and LaSorsa available for tonight.

[imref]

Didn't Machado pitch Friday, Saturday and Sunday? That's what my foggy memory tells me, although it was one inning each.

My hunch is Abbott, Ferrer, and LaSorsa available for tonight.

Machado threw 8 pitches on Sunday, so he might be available in a pinch.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

It would have made some sense to start Gray tonight and have Williams in the bullpen if needed.