RELIEVERS: Cubs, Tigers, Astros, Marlins, Giants, Rays, and Rangers
Apr 30 2023
This column is similar to last week's column, except focused on Detroit, Houston, Miami, San Francisco, Tampa Bay, and Texas. There was also a request to look at the Chicago Cubs, so let's tackle that bullpen first.
The Cubs predictably started the season with Michael Fulmer (RHP, CHC) as the closer and just as the projected skills tell you, it didn't work out nearly as well as the Cubs had hoped. Fulmer has a 4.46 xERA and 1.84 WHIP the first few weeks, but the 29% K% and 19% K%-BB% are better than the projected 23% K% and 13% K%-BB%. The Cubs have better answers in-house, and are now using Brad Boxberger (RHP, CHC)--or at least they did for the most recent save chance. But look:
CHC Sv IP xERA WHIP K% K%-BB% hr/9...
Almost!
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