Often times, middle relievers are an overlooked part of a team. They toil in relative anonymity, maybe picking up the occasional hold, but do not have the one statistical category that the average fan looks at. And yet, should they struggle just once, the fanbase is calling for their heads
There were few reasons for Oakland A’s fans to feel that way about Jake Diekman during the regular season. He was as close to untouchable as possible, allowing two runs, only one earned, over 21.1 innings. Opponents only managed eight hits all year, walking 12 times with 31 strikeouts.