The Baltimore Wire
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Zach Britton
Aug 30, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Zach Britton (53) high fives catcher Matt Wieters (32) after beating the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Baltimore Orioles

Relief pitchers – Brad Brach, Zach Britton, Mychal Givens, Darren O’Day, Vance Worley, Dylan Bundy, Donnie Hart, Odrisamer Despaigne, T.J. McFarland, Oliver Drake, Brian Duensing, Tommy Hunter, Tyler Wilson

Preseason prediction – 2nd – Britton, O’Day, Brach, Givens, Brian Matusz, Bundy, McFarland, Worley, Chaz Roe, Jason Garcia

It is not hard to see why the Orioles made the playoffs. Because of their bullpen. Britton had a 0.54 ERA with 47 saves and only one loss. He allowed four runs all year. Brach’s ERA was 2.05, and he led the team and was top 10 in the AL in appearances. Givens’ ERA was 3.13, and Hart came on late with an ERA of 0.49. All of this and a rough year from Darren O’Day, who was often injured and only appeared in 34 games.

Oh, by the way, Brach and Givens combined for 18 wins and six losses. Overall, the team won 32 games in relief, losing only 15, which is by far the best number in the AL. Their save percentage of 79 percent also was the best in the American League.

Next: Baltimore Orioles Interested In Outfielder Michael Saunders

The AL East has some fantastic bullpens, and these bullpens helped keep teams like the Yankees and Orioles in contention. But, it was the Orioles that was the best of all.

Home/Baltimore Orioles