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The Outstanding Bullpen Strength of the Baltimore Orioles

By Randy Buchman

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Aug 11, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mychal Givens (60) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mychal Givens (60) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Transitional Arms and Innings Eaters

Brian Matusz — Since becoming a reliever over the past three seasons, his ERA has gone down from 3.53 >> 3.48 >> 2.94.  That final number for 2015 — it shocks me to see it, as I don’t remember it looking quite that good. And in fact, with the deeper numbers like FIP at 3.58, it may not be extraordinary. But Matusz has a role as the lefty specialist. Again, he’ll be stretched out at the beginning of the season in the spring, but I don’t expect much to come of that. BTW – I’m not a nominee for the Brian Matusz fan club presidency, but he’s a good guy we all want to see do well.

T.J. McFarland — Here is a prime example of a relief pitcher with skewed numbers. He pitched in 30 games for the Orioles, and in two of those games (Twins, Royals) he got totally lit up for 11 runs in 2.1 innings of work. His total ERA for the season was 4.91; but if you take out those two games (half of all runs allowed by T.J.), it was 2.61 in the other 28 outings. He is a guy who can throw multiple innings when really needed, and that is valuable on a staff. And honestly, once in a while a guy with this role needs to take it on the chin for the team.

Mychal Givens — It is difficult to find enough good to say about Givens, who shows every hope and expectation of being the second coming of O’Day. I don’t think he’s Irish though. But what is not to like about his numbers with the O’s?  He had a 1.80 ERA over 30 innings in 22 games … with a 0.867 WHIP!  This is not a fluke performance. The numbers are consistent with Bowie — 1.73 ERA in 57.1 innings.  So he threw 87.1 innings in 2015. The guy has arrived.

Dylan Bundy — Wow, it was sad to type that name here, after all the hype and hope for this injury-riddled young man. He will begin in the bullpen this year, if healthy enough to do so. He could be a great asset there. Beyond that, if he is able to become a starter in the second half of the season, it would be more than we could maybe even hope for.

Chaz Roe — I include him because he pitched 41.1 innings in 36 games with a 4.14 ERA. I don’t see how he can fit in 2016, but I certainly wrote that somewhere last year as well.

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