It’s time to admit that bullpen games work

The San Francisco Giants’ 6-1 record last week came about in large part because of two games started by John Brebbia and one by Scott Alexander. Those three bullpen game wins were in ballparks largely inhospitable to pitchers: Coors Field and Chase Field, too. I don’t think it’s wrong to say that most fans have a dim view of the opener / bullpen game strategy, and some who outright hate it. This post is for them — the strategy works! Reconsider your derision!

Zaidi and Harris have done 18 of these opener / bullpen games this season and the Giants have gone 9-9 when doing so. That’s better than their team winning percentage as of right now, and it’s not as though it’s a strategy they went…