“Bullpen.” What do you think of when you hear that word? If you’re anything like me, you think of immense pain and suffering, particularly in postseason situations. In fact, I apologize for any flashbacks to the 2014 ALDS or the 2013 series-which-will-not-be-named, for these two series popped into my mind when I brought up the nasty B-word.
During their last window of contention, the Detroit Tigers had a terrible, no-good bullpen problem. The team had to bench closer Jose Valverde in the 2012 playoffs in favor of Phil Coke, due to Valverde’s immense postseason struggles.