If you watched the Cubs’ 8-7 win last night, the bullpen probably gave you enough anxiety to send you running into the streets maskless and mortified. I felt the same, but woke up this morning realizing the first couple of weeks of the season are going to feel an awful lot like spring training. Relief pitchers got the least amount of work during summer camp, and scores around the league indicate that many teams are having similar bullpen issues.
That eight batters were hit by pitches in last night’s game is a pretty solid indicator that pitchers are still trying to find their sea legs.