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2016 AL East Rankings by Position: Relief Pitching

By Nate Wardle

Feb 19, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54), relief pitcher Andrew Miller (48), relief pitcher Dellin Betances (68) and teammates stretch during workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (54), relief pitcher Andrew Miller (48), relief pitcher Dellin Betances (68) and teammates stretch during workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 3, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated New York Yankees 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches during the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated New York Yankees 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Baltimore Orioles – Zach Britton, Darren O’Day, Brad Brach, Mychal Givens, Brian Matusz, Dylan Bundy, T.J. McFarland, Vance Worley, Chaz Roe, Jason Garcia

Speaking of teams who believe in a very strong back-end of the bullpen, the Baltimore Orioles do as well. As they continue to deal with starting pitching concerns and fears over paying big money contracts to pitchers not worth it, they resigned free agent Darren O’Day to a closer-like contract to keep their bullpen intact. Combine O’Day with the fantastic and underrated Britton and Brad Brach, and the Orioles’ back-end is probably top 5 in baseball, if not top 3 behind the Royals and Yankees.

Behind those three relievers, the team has lefty specialist Brian Matusz and several intriguing questions. Mychal Givens is a converted infielder who was spectacular last year in 30 innings for the Orioles. Givens, like O’Day, throws from a sidearm slot. The O’s are going to have five right-handers in their rotation, so the lefty McFarland makes sense here. He has been an unsung hero for the Orioles in the bullpen, as a guy who sees a lot of action due to the inability of the starters to go deep into games.

The last spot is all but guaranteed to go to Dylan Bundy. the right-handed Bundy was a top draft pick, and sped through the Orioles’ farm system. But, several arm injuries have kept him from becoming the pitcher many thought he would be. Now, Bundy is out of options, so as long as he isn’t hurt, he will be in the bullpen until the team can have him ready for a starting role. As a hard thrower, his use out of the bullpen may be very effective.

Next: Another improved bullpen...

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