Any Royals fan can tell you the team has bullpen issues. Collectively, they have the second-lowest strikeout rate in baseball. Of the seven relievers to make at least 20 appearances this year, only Sam Long has an ERA below four.
But the bullpen is not completely hopeless. Nine teams have a worse ERA from their bullpen than the Royals mark of 4.29, including potential post-season contenders like the Diamondbacks and Pirates. Ten teams have more blown saves from their bullpens, including the Dodgers, Red Sox, Astros, and Rays. Royals relievers have certainly fared much better than last year’s Rangers, who won a title despite a bullpen ERA of 4.