News'Pens writing rocky tale in World Series
Skippers remain confident in struggling middle relievers
By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com
10/30/09 7:50 PM EST
PHILADELPHIA -- In a postseason in which Joe Girardi's every move has been scrutinized and second-guessed, no one could poke holes in the Yankees manager's Game 2 logic. After seven innings, ignoring the rest of his bullpen, Girardi took the ball from A.J. Burnett and handed it directly to Mariano Rivera.
Both the Phils and Yanks have endured some bullpen lapses this postseason, leaning instead on closers who have been perfect. And both struggled at times during the season, tying for 13th in the Majors with a 3.91 bullpen ERA.
So far, the relief woes have not hurt either team too badly, because the starting pitchers on both sides have lasted deep into games. But the trouble is there, waiting for an opportunity to arise.
"This bullpen that is constructed now has been really, really good for us all year, and at times, you're going to have some hiccups," Girardi said after Game 2. "But that doesn't mean that you don't stop believing in them and understand the type of stuff that they have and the job that they can do. Obviously, at times we have struggled."
The Yankees' bullpen struggles bubbled up in Game 1, when Phil Hughes, who had his share of troubles in the American League Championship Series against the Angels, walked the only two batters he faced. Later in the game, Dave Robertson gave up a ground-ball RBI single, before Brian Bruney entered and allowed three hits and two runs.
Ravishing Rivera
| Rank | Player | IP | Saves |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mariano Rivera | 33 | 10 |
| 2. | Rollie Fingers | 33 1/3 | 6 |
| 3. | Allie Reynolds | 77 1/3 | 4 |
| Johnny Murphy | 16 1/3 | 4 | |
| Robb Nen | 7 2/3 | 4 | |
| John Wetteland | 4 1/3 | 4 | |
| 7. | Herb Pennock | 55 1/3 | 3 |
| Tug McGraw | 21 1/3 | 3 | |
| Firpo Marberry | 12 | 3 | |
| Todd Worrel | 11 2/3 | 3 | |
| Will McEnaney | 11 1/3 | 3 | |
| Roy Face | 10 1/3 | 3 | |
| Kent Tekulve | 9 1/3 | 3 | |
| Jonathan Papelbon | 4 1/3 | 3 | |
| Troy Percival | 3 | 3 |
The next day, it was straight to Rivera, who pitched two scoreless innings for the save. If nothing else, that strategy helped keep the entire bullpen rested heading into Game 3.
"I think with the depth of our bullpen, we should be fine," Girardi said. "The one thing that you have to be careful with is using Mo a couple innings and limiting the amount of pitches that you can use him."
The Phillies' bullpen is not quite as rested, but appears to be in equally decent shape. In Game 2, only Chan Ho Park struggled, allowing one of the two runners he inherited to score.
Perhaps most encouraging for the Phils was that Ryan Madson, manager Charlie Manuel's most-used reliever in the regular season, struck out the side in the eighth in Game 2. And Madson and the rest of the Phillies' relievers should all be available out of the bullpen in Game 3.
Philadelphia, of course, would rather avoid them. But that has nothing to do with how well or poorly they have been pitching.
"I look at our bullpen, we're ready to pitch," Manuel said. "Our bullpen has definitely got enough rest. Our guys are ready to pitch. And also in some ways, they need to pitch. But I don't necessarily want to pitch them. That means that we're playing good. But at the same time, we're ready, and I'm sure the Yankees are, too, as far as rest. That shouldn't be any question at all. Both bullpens to me are well rested."
Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
