The lonely life of a saves leader... (frnch/flickr)


Some teams are loaded when it comes to relief pitching (Toronto) and others wish their starters would remember how it all went down in 1910 (Detroit).  Let's take a look at some quick facts regarding relievers in the majors so far in 2008.

- The best ERA posted by a bullpen: Baltimore (0.93)

Five of their relievers (George Sherrill, Jamie walker, Dennis Sarfate, Randor Bierd, Matt Albers) have yet to allow a earned run this season.  Sherrill is tied for second in the majors  in the saves department (4).

- The worst ERA posted by a bullpen: LA Angels (6.85)

Four relievers that pitched for them so far have an ERA over 5: Justin Speier, Francisco Rodriguez, Jason Bulger and Rich Thompson.

- Most strikeouts by a relief corps: NY Yankees (40)

The Orioles staff ranks 14th in that department with 23.  It's clearly the batting average against (.164) that makes them so good.  Keeping the ball on the ground and the defense play a big role in this number

- Most inning pitched: Chicago Cubs (41.2)

Jon Lieber has more innings pitched than two starters on the club (9.1 IP)

- Fewer innings pitched: Texas Rangers (21.2)

- Most innings pitched by a reliever: Jon Lieber (9.1)

8 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K and a 1.07 WHIP.

- Most walks allowed by a reliever: Jesus Colome (7)

5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 7 BB, 4 K.

- Most strikeouts by a reliever: Blaine Boyer (10)

5.2 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 2 HR, 1 BB, 10 K.

- Most pitches so far in 2008: Phil Dumatrait (145)

8 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 1 HR, 6 BB, 3 K.

- Best ground balls/fly balls ratio: Chad Bradford (9.00)

3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 K.

- Most saves: Jason Isringhausen (5)

He is just adding to the 272 saves he has recorded in the last eight years, a category he led in 2004 with 47 (66 games finished)

Other Notes

*Seven of the 10 best closers have yet to allow an earned run in 2008.
*Keith Foulke ranks second in holds (4) and has the following pitching line so far: 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K.  Not bad for a guy who last pitched in 2006 and allowed 24 ER in 49 IP.
*Another underestimated Oakland reliever: Santiago Casilla (7 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 9 K)
*Seattle's Eric O'Flaherty is having a rough intro to the 2008 campaign: 4 IP, 8 H, 9 ER, 4 BB, 2 K.