Why the Detroit Tigers' Bullpen Will Cost Them a Playoff Berth

In the 2006 season, the Detroit Tigers made a storybook run to the World Series, an unbelievable turnaround after missing the playoffs for over a decade. One of the key reasons for that sudden success was the pitching of Detroit's bullpen. The Tigers seldom blew leads, and closer Todd Jones racked up a career high in saves last season. Fire-baller Joel Zumaya was probably the best rookie reliever in the American League, blowing 104 mph fastballs past the game's best hitters. The Tigers even snagged a few clutch performances from unsung heroes Jamie Walker, Bobby Seay, and Jason Grilli. This season, however, everything is different.

The Tiger's lost 7-5 in ten innings Saturday against the division rival Chicago White Sox. It wasn't the loss that makes the headlines- even great teams lose tons of games in a 162-game season- it was the way Detroit lost. After amassing a 4-0 lead, Detroit's bullpen fell apart and late-relief pitcher Fernando Rodney allowed two runs in the top of the tenth to assure Chicago's victory. This is nothing new for Rodney, who has managed to lose the team four games this year in only eight innings pitched. His earned-run average is an embarrassing 7.88, and he has averaged a walked batter every other inning. Bad statistics for one reliever will certainly cost a team, but not as much as bad statistics for an entire bullpen.

Todd Jones blew a 2-run lead in the ninth inning against the lowly Kansas City Royals a few nights ago, which lead to another Tigers loss. Jones rarely pitches outside of the crucial ninth inning, and he has allowed seven hits as well as four walks in only 9 innings or work. That is unacceptable for a successful closer. The list of under-performing relievers doesn't end with Jones. Jose Mesa was brought in during the off-season to strengthen the bullpen, but he has a disgusting 20.25 ERA and has allowed 7 hits in 2.2 innings. One could point the finger almost any Tiger's relief pitcher- how about Jason Grilli with his 8.59 ERA and 10 allowed hits, or maybe Bobby Seay's team low one strikeout? The lone bright spots this year have been Joel Zumaya and Will Ledezma, two of the reasons Detroit is still above .500.

What does this mean in the AL Central? Well, it means that what was once the division's best bullpen is now being ripped apart by teams like Kansas City. The White Sox relievers have looked stellar so far this season- and they could definitely earn a first round-bye in the playoffs this year. David Aardsma has an impressive .77 ERA, Bobby Jenks has converted 6 of 7 saves, and the monstrous 6' 10'' Andrew Sisco has only allowed two runs this year. Granted, the Minnesota Twins will probably snatch up a wild card spot with their starting pitching alone, and you can never count out the Cleveland Indians. The truth of the matter is that four teams in the AL Central could win 90 games- a number that could be even higher if they didn't have to beat up on each other all summer.

Because Detroit's bullpen dominance last year appears to be an anomaly, it will cost them any legitimate chance of hanging with the big boys of the division. Unless Jim Leyland and company make a mid-season move to pick up a big arm, I doubt we will be seeing any of the old English "D" in October.

Sources: mlb.com