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Baltimore Orioles’ Bullpen Tops Great Staffs in AL East

By Nate Wardle

Sep 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. The Orioles won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. The Orioles won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Roberto Osuna
Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Roberto Osuna (54) pitches during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Toronto Blue Jays

Relief pitchers: Roberto Osuna, Joe Biagini, Brett Cecil, Jason Grilli, Jesse Chavez, Drew Storen, Gavin Floyd, Joaquin Benoit, Aaron Loup, Ryan Tepera, Bo Schultz, Scott Feldman, Chad Girodo, Danny Barnes

Preseason prediction – 4th, Storen, Osuna, Cecil, Loup, Tepera, Steve Delabar, David Aardsma, Pat Venditte, Chavez, Floyd

The Blue Jays’ bullpen was dreadful to start the year, although it did improve with some additions in the second half, mainly Jason Grilli and Benoit. I predicted Toronto’s fate would come down to whether they picked Osuna or Storen as their closer. They went with Osuna, and it was a great choice.

Osuna again had a great year, with a 2.68 ERA and 36 saves. Biagini, their Rule 5 pick, had a fantastic year as well. Otherwise, it wasn’t pretty.

The Jays had 23 wins in relief and 32 losses, second-worst in the division to only Tampa. The Jays’ save percentage was the worst in the division. Those 32 losses in relief were also tied for second-worst in the American League, with Minnesota (whose bullpen was terrible).

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