The state of the Nationals bullpen
The Nationals used only three relievers in their 13-inning loss yesterday to the Dodgers, but the strain of the game left most of their bullpen fatigued beyond the wear it endured in the actual game.
Brian Bruney threw 13 pitches in one inning, Matt Capps threw 28 in two and Miguel Batista threw 46 in three. But they weren't the only ones who worked. Sean Burnett warmed up three or four times, so even though he did not enter the game, "that's almost like pitching a couple innings in itself," Manager Jim Riggleman said. Tyler Clippard also warmed up yesterday, the day after he pitched two innings, so if he's available today it won't be for long.
Today, Tyler Walker and Jesse English are the most-rested relievers. Capps played catch today and may be available for one inning. The onus, really, falls on Scott Olsen to save the bullpen from another long workday.
"It's one of those days where whoever has the ball, sometimes you got to be out there for a while," Riggleman said. "It's going to be a little bit of a challenge. We don't want to overuse people in the bullpen."
By
Adam Kilgore
|
April 25, 2010; 12:58 PM ET
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Posted by: mo_dc | April 25, 2010 1:05 PM | Report abuse
Actually, the biggest savior of the bullpen may be the rain, shortening the game... Nats need to jump out early, knowing it could be shortened anytime after 3 or so.
Then again, if it is repeated rain stoppages, that could kill bullpen arms warming up repeatedly. I would think LAD pullpen is even worse shape having used nearly everyone yesterday.
Posted by: mo_dc | April 25, 2010 1:08 PM | Report abuse
If Olsen pitches like he did last time, it won't matter for the outcome of the game. I could see Olsen having to absorb a beating to save the pen. Hopefully, he will have a Stammen-like rebound from a terrible start.
+1/2St.
Posted by: kevincostello | April 25, 2010 1:22 PM | Report abuse
I wouldn't figure on any rain, Mo. Radar doesn't show any more precip for today.
Posted by: Sec3mysofa | April 25, 2010 1:26 PM | Report abuse
Just checking mlb standings we're in pretty good shape, compared to our neighbors (the O's) to the north, man they've got a long road to hoe and i actually think they've got a good team(Jones,Weiters,Markakis,Reimgold,Wynnington,Roberts,) i thought Rizzo would try to get Pie or Juan Pierre this past off season for some depth but all in all .500 is nothing to complain about.
Posted by: dargregmag | April 25, 2010 1:30 PM | Report abuse
Dibble said this twice , that Olsen needed to be convicted in his pitching ....... I really do not think that means what you think it means but then again that don't always work out
Posted by: CBinDC | April 25, 2010 1:50 PM | Report abuse
I could see Olsen having to absorb a beating to save the pen.
+1/2St.
Posted by: kevincostello
Olsen: 7 IP, 6H, 0ER, 8SO
Posted by: fpcsteve | April 25, 2010 3:40 PM | Report abuse
The Nats RP is a joke. We have some talent but we have little reliability and even less depth.
I would say maybe 1 of our RP's would start on any team that is considered top-tier in today's game.
Maybe we have talent in the minors but until they produce in the majors, they really don't mean that much
Posted by: Bious | April 25, 2010 6:09 PM | Report abuse
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Actually, the biggest savior of the bullpen may be the rain, shortening the game... Nats need to jump out early, knowing it could be shortened anytime after 3 or so.
Then again, if it is repeated rain stoppages, that could kill bullpen arms warming up repeatedly. I would think LAD pullpen is even worse shape having used nearly everyone yesterday.