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Baltimore Orioles: Does Orioles’ bullpen reign supreme in 2017 AL East rankings?

By Nate Wardle

Jul 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Los Angeles Angels 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 9, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Los Angeles Angels 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 16, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Roberto Osuna (54) throws a bullpen at Cecil P. Englebert Recreation Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Roberto Osuna (54) throws a bullpen at Cecil P. Englebert Recreation Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays’ RPs: Roberto Osuna, Jason Grilli, J.P. Howell, Joe Smith, Joe Biagini, Aaron Loup, Bo Schultz, Ryan Tepera, Mike Bolsinger, Mat Latos

Osuna is one of the best young closers in the game. However, I don’t trust the two projected set-up men, Grilli and Howell. Grilli wore down in a major way in 2016 at the end of the year/in the playoffs, and Howell is 33 and coming off a year with a 4.09 ERA for the Dodgers. Of course, Howell does have experience in the division from his time in Tampa, where he was a successful reliever.

Smith was an excellent acquisition, and he goes belong last year’s Rule 5 pick Biagini (who was fantastic), the shaky Loup and a cast of middle/long reliever types. If Biagini is as good as he was in 2016, then the back five of this bullpen should be pretty good.

However, bullpen performance is extremely hard to predict from year-to-year. So, until Biagini has a track record, I don’t believe he will have a 3.06 ERA in 2017 again.

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