The Oakland A’s are set to use their bullpen opener for the fifth time on Saturday. That means Liam Hendriks will pitch the 1st inning, followed by a traditional starter after him in a long relief role. For more on this strategy and why it’s happening, click here for the explanation.
Here’s a summary of how the plan has gone so far in its first four attempts:
- Terrible
- Amazing
- Good enough to win
- Amazing
The first one went awry, but twice Hendriks and long-man Daniel Mengden have combined to keep the opponent to just one hit through six scoreless innings.