Preserving leads vs. keeping games close

[Frobby]

Our bullpen has done a very good job of preserving leads when they have one. Where they've failed this season is in keeping the game close when we are narrowly behind. Case in point, last night's game. Maybe we weren't going to scratch out the tying run in any event -- we didn't score in the 8th or 9th anyway -- but the bullpen crushed any chance of a come from behind win. They widened the Angels' lead from 1 to 2 when Chen left the game the night before, too. The way we're (not) hitting right now, it may not matter, but it's very difficult to come from behind when the bullpen isn't holding steady.

[mdbdotcom]

Our bullpen has done a very good job of preserving leads when they have one. Where they've failed this season is in keeping the game close when we are narrowly behind. Case in point, last night's game. Maybe we weren't going to scratch out the tying run in any event -- we didn't score in the 8th or 9th anyway -- but the bullpen crushed any chance of a come from behind win. They widened the Angels' lead from 1 to 2 when Chen left the game the night before, too. The way we're (not) hitting right now, it may not matter, but it's very difficult to come from behind when the bullpen isn't holding steady.

We seem to be firing on one or two cylinders at a time; offense, starting pitching, defense, or bullpen. We can be competitive if firing on three cylinders and should put away the competition when firing all four. Team needs to get it together.

[eddie83]

I mentioned DD bringing up the lack of production from the corner OF's in another thread but the next thing he mentioned was how the bullpen needs to get better. Mentioned how important it is not let the up home runs late.

[Frobby]

He's done that..er..how many times compared to his pop ups on first pitch?

Manny is seeing more pitches per plate appearance than he ever has (3.90), and is swinging at the lowest percentage of first pitches in his career, by far (27.0%). No complaints from me.

[scOtt]

We seem to be firing on one or two cylinders at a time; offense, starting pitching, defense, or bullpen. We can be competitive if firing on three cylinders and should put away the competition when firing all four. Team needs to get it together.

I think our team is a V-8. Rocket 88. Or a hemi..

[Nevermore]

In a million years I never thought Ubaldo would be one of the few bright spots on this team. Its almost bizzaro world.Last year everything went right and Ubaldo was horrible. This year Ubaldo is brilliant and almost( a few exceptions) everything else is bad or at least wildly inconsistent.

Well, we have Gonzo and (at least for this year), Wei-Yin. And now we have Mike Wright. Yes, I know, very small sample size. Still I can dream....