The Nightcap

This Reds' bullpen is becoming an issue and becoming an issue quickly. It's understandable that you will not win every game that you take a lead into the 7th or 8th inning but you should feel pretty confident going into the last third of the game with a lead. Unfortunately, that has not been the case this season for the Reds (I'm currently watching Manny Parra get hit very hard for the second consecutive day and JJ Hoover not know how to throw strikes). The starting rotation for the Reds is too good to have this poor of outings from a bullpen, that is supposed to be a strength for this team. It is early and the bullpen was down 3 of the most important guys at the beginning of the year, but the biggest issues haven't come from their replacements. If all the issues were coming from Curtis Partch, Nick Christiani and Trevor Bell then it would be a logical argument and an issue that you would assume would fix itself shortly. The problem is that the lack of production has come from individuals who will have to perform this season for the Reds to succeed. JJ Hoover, Manny Parra, and Logan Ondrusek will all have vital roles in the bullpen but up to this point they have not shown the ability to get guys out when the pressure is on.

JJ Hoover is currently the owner of a 14.54 ERA while giving up 7 runs and 5 walks over only 4.1 innings. Logan Ondrusek is not far behind sporting a 11.25 ERA while giving up 5 runs on 9 hits over 4 innings. Manny Parra came into the game tonight with a 4.00 ERA and promptly gave up the game tying home run to Andrew McCutcheon.

The plan eventually would have Marshall and Broxton, both injured at the beginning of the year, being the setup men for Aroldis Chapman, currently injured but that does not mean that Parra, Hoover, and Ondrusek will not be counted on for big innings and to get tough outs.

Hopefully, this bullpen comes through tonight and immediately makes me eat my words but the confidence level of this current bullpen is incredibly low. The Pirate have the top 3 in their order to lead off the ninth, and you just get the feeling we may not get to see the 4th batter.

Given each of these guys' histories you would believe that they will be able to turn it around and become that powerful bullpen that we all expect. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Let's hope for extra innings....