Changes in bullpen management
One of the early storylines of the season is Clint Hurdle's newfound bullpen flexibility, especially as it pertains to Tony Watson. While limited to the eighth inning for most of last season, Watson's already made two appearances in the seventh. During today's pregame meeting with the press, Hurdle said his revised perspective on Watson's usage came from looking at tape of his work last year and how certain situations could've gone better.
"I'm not ever adverse to listening or trying to learn or getting better," Hurdle said. "When [Jared] Hughes went down, I peeled back more layers.