Bullpen Struggles in 2025, Explained
Bullpen struggles prevail in Major League Baseball. Not only are the New York Yankees struggling, with their historic problems, but all of the contending teams in the big leagues are struggling at the back end of games in the bullpen. These bullpen struggles are poorly timed, as a strong bullpen is necessary for success in the looming MLB Playoffs. This article reviews some of the bad bullpens across the sport and posits a reason why this ill-timed problem has become endemic. Do you know why bullpens across baseball are having problems?
Bullpen Struggles Among Contending Teams
Bullpens are important during the playoffs, so the fact that, in mid-September, with the playoffs looming, many teams have struggling relief pitchers is not good for them. Why is this issue endemic across baseball? There is a simple reason: Managers are pulling their starting pitchers after 80-100 pitches, which amounts to five or six innings. They have been pulling their starting pitchers this early all season. This means every bullpen has been required to get 9 or 12 outs a game. Bullpen arms are tired; that is why they are failing.
New York Yankees
The most shocking meltdown of relief pitchers has occurred for the Yankees. In the last two games, the Yankee relief pitchers have allowed 9 earned runs. This is the first time this has happened. It is clear that many Yankee starts this season could have gone longer. That is a shame, considering the Yankees are chasing the Toronto Blue Jays for the crown in the American League East.
Toronto Blue Jays
So, let’s take those Toronto Blue Jays. They can score with the best teams and are very opportunistic. They have good starting pitching, but they may not win the American League East because their bullpen is “tired.” The Blue Jay relief pitchers had a 4.76 earned run average in August. These problems may prevent the Blue Jays from winning the World Series.
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are interesting. Their relief pitchers have been strong, and Closer Aroldis Chapman has been very good this year. Chapman has been so good that he signed a contract extension two weeks ago. Several of his friends in the Red Sox bullpen have been good this season as well. Boston has the strongest relief pitching in the American League, at least. Even though Chapman blew a game last night. Perhaps the favorite to win the World Series is the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Even the Dodgers, who have a collection of stars in their bullpen, have struggled. This is shocking because this team has loaded up through free agency and has multiple MVPs in their batting order. The Dodgers’ star-studded bullpen had a 3.72 earned run average in August. The Dodgers, once World Series favorites, now might not even win their division. Speaking of division leaders, we will next turn to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Philadelphia Phillies
The epidemic extends to the National League East, with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies can score runs with any team in Major League Baseball, and slugger Kyle Schwarber is amazing. However, the Phillies could face problems in the postseason. Their relief pitchers have a 5.62 earned run average, the next-to-worst in the league.
Conclusion
This problem affects all baseball teams, not just the Yankees or the five teams discussed here, and it is because starting pitchers have been pulled from games too early all season long. This has led relief pitchers to get a lot of outs all season long. The chickens are now coming home to roost as all of the relief pitchers in baseball are struggling. The team with the strongest bullpen will win the World Series.
