Dead pen walking? Bullpen will bury Reds playoff hopes if this keeps up
The Cincinnati Reds are tied for the MLB lead in bullpen walks issued (114) and already have matched last year's MLB leader in bases-loaded walks.
CLEVELAND – The Cincinnati Reds have their magic Tito Speedo, a hot-hitting JJ Bleday, MVP threat Elly De La Cruz, resurgent Matt McLain, a couple of guys in the rotation putting up dozens of zeroes this month and realistic playoff hopes. But none of that’s going to get them anywhere near October if this bullpen keeps looking like it’s pitching with its eyes closed. In their latest meltdown in the opener of the weekend series in Cleveland, Graham Ashcraft opened the eighth inning with a five-run lead – and 13 consecutive balls before throwing a strike.
By the time the inning was done Brock Burke had walked home two runs, and the Guardians were within a run. If not for an insurance run by the Reds in the top of the ninth, they wouldn’t have had the margin for a 7-6 win because the Guardians scored again off closer-for-the-day Tejay Antone in the ninth. “Not how we drew it up,” manager Terry Francona said in the understatement of the week.
This was no aberration. The Reds bullpen walked a command-shaken tightrope throughout April until they nosedived in May – their troubles made worse by closer Emilio Pagán’s long-term hamstring injury suffered May 5 in Chicago. Through April 28, the Reds bullpen had the best ERA in the majors: 2.
23. Since then it’s MLB’s worst: 7. 34.