LOS ANGELES – Given the current state of relievers, manager Chip Hale of the Arizona Diamondbacks would not be wrong to show hesitation.
That would be in regard to his starters whom he identified before Saturday’s game as occupying a greater comfort level than his relievers. It’s the bullpen, he noted, which now transmits concern throughout the organization. That is clearly in concert to the walks and home runs which acted all season as powerful agents against his staff.
Despite his reputation of having a short leach on starters, Hale showed a slight reluctance to pull the hook on starter Braden Shipley Saturday in Dodger Stadium.