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Relief Usage: 4/28-5/4

Bullpen1_medium

This was the worst week of the season for the bullpen and unsurprisingly it was the week in which they were the most taxed. With Gary Glover and Al Reyes both on the DL, the team has been turning towards other pitchers for some support. As you can see, the bullpen threw over 20 innings including three days of 70+ pitches.

The best pitcher in the bullpen this week was by far Kurt Birkins. Birkins didn't allow any runs over six innings and provided help in four separate games. The most impressive thing Birkins has shown is that he is capable of working quick innings and keeping his pitch count down. Through six innings pitched he averaged a little over 13 pitches per inning. One of the biggest improvements he has made thus far from last season has been his ability to not allow line drives. His LD% this season is a amazing 4.3% compared to last season's atrocious 23.1%. While this is still a small sample size, Rays fans must be happy with what they have received from the southpaw up to this point.

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If Birkins was the best pitcher this week, then Scott Dohmann must have been the worst. Dohmann allowed five runs in three innings of work, and one would expect he would be the first person kicked out once Glover or Reyes are available.

Troy Percival kept his stat-line clean with his save and one inning of work. However, the Rays have continued to show that they will only be using him in save situations. It will be interesting to see how he is used for the rest of the season, and whether he would be brought in during games when we are losing by one run in the ninth.

One thing to keep a close eye on over the next week or two is the performance of Jason Hammel. Sometimes making the transition from starter to the bullpen can be difficult, but the Rays will most likely remain patient either way since he is out of options.

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I'd argue that Miller was the worst of the week.

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on May 5, 2008 3:21 PM EDT   0 recs

You could totally say that...

if you like to be wrong

"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC

by Matt Bishoff on May 5, 2008 3:30 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

OH SH!T

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navy Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls

by SRQman on May 5, 2008 4:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I would rather have Dohmann and Birkins stick around

Than see Glover and Reyes come back from injury. Really, these two have just been better pitchers.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on May 5, 2008 8:33 PM EDT   0 recs

Glover

has been better than Dohmann this year, while he was healthy at least

"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC

by Matt Bishoff on May 5, 2008 9:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No, he really hasn't

Glover has been tremendously lucky. He has actually walked more than he has struck out, and his HR/9 isn’t going to stay at zero. Further, his opponents’ BABIP has been low. He will regress soon enough. We’re talking about the same Gary Glover we were dealing with last year.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on May 5, 2008 9:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Post Dohmann blow up perhaps, before that? Hell no.

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on May 5, 2008 9:11 PM EDT   0 recs

why wouldnt we count Dohmann blow up?

"I'd hate to leave right when the getting is good." -CC

by Matt Bishoff on May 5, 2008 9:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Stats weren't nearly as flukey as Glo, at least to that point.

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on May 5, 2008 9:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Because, statistically speaking

He hasn’t shown that he will blow up yet. Glover on the other hand is a ticking time bomb.

by Patrick L. Kennedy on May 5, 2008 9:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Grant Balfour

At Durham so far:

7 games; 12 IP; 1 hit; 0 runs; 5 BBs; 15 Ks; 1.44 GO/AO; 3 saves; 1-0 record

A few too many walks, always his problem. Otherwise, not bad. It would be nice to see him keep it up and earn his way back.

by bobr on May 6, 2008 7:49 AM EDT   0 recs

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