A dash here, a pinch there, then stir and cross fingers. Bullpen mixology is often unpredictable. Low ERAs on paper can turn into flammable disasters in September. Many throughout baseball argue salary should not be funneled into a bullpen. That is, until the bullpen fails, providing repeated knocks to the head and hope of a team expected to make the playoffs. Then, investment is considered.
The Washington Nationals find themselves re-brewing their late-inning approach. Last season’s bullpen blended failure with discontent. Blake Treinen, thought a young setup man, could not retire left-handed batters. Aaron Barrett was overused, less effective, then injured.