A reliable, shutdown bullpen is essential to getting to the postseason, and the secret to succeeding once a team gets there.
Consider the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are on the cusp of going to their first World Series since 1988. In the first three games of the National League Championship Series against the Cubs, all victories, Dodgers relievers retired 29 out of 31 batters they faced.
On the down side, consider the Rockies’ 11-8 wild-card playoff loss at Arizona. After falling behind 6-0, Colorado closed the gap to 6-5 in the top of the seventh, only to see Diamondbacks relief pitcher Archie Bradley smack a two-run triple off usually reliable right-hander Pat Neshek.