Redleg Nation · May 8, 2019
The Cincinnati Reds Bullpen: Is It “Burned Out?”
Much of the Reds criticism lately has centered around burning out the bullpen in the first two months of the season. However, a quick search on Fangraphs shows the Reds are actually below the MLB average for relief innings in 2019, a vast contrast from one year ago.
In 2018, Reds relievers pitched 108.0 innings through March and April, fourth most in the NL. They appeared, collectively, in 97 games in March/April. This season, relievers have already pitched 119.1 innings. Ok, so Reds relievers have pitched more innings this season. Where’s the contrast? It comes in how relievers are being used.