May
21
2011

2011 Mets Bullpen: What A Relief!

An article by Hojo's Mojo

The Mets are winning again and are 17-9 in their last 26 games. Good starting pitching and timely hitting have certainly helped, but the bullpen has been absolutely phenomenal. The Mets bullpen has allowed only six earned runs in 51 1/3 innings in May, for a 1.05 ERA.

Jason Isringhausen has been more than anyone could have expected. He has locked onto that setup role and has become the perfect bridge to K-Rod. Last night, it was a joy to watch Izzy befuddle the Yankees in the eighth inning as he struck out Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez in succession, and then induced Cano to hit a weak grounder for the third out. Isringhausen has a 1.80 ERA this season.

Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez is on fire. Last night he shut down the Yankees in the ninth inning, throwing just ten pitches. It was Rodriguez’s fourth save in five chances as a Met against the Yankees and 17th save of this season. K-Rod also extended his scoreless innings streak to 19. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last 18 games — since April 17. Manager Terry Collins raved about him. “I don’t know how to describe him. He’s fearless.”

Southpaw Mike O’Connor also continues to amaze. In six appearances, O’Connor has limited opponents to one hit, one walk and one hit batter in 5 2/3 innings. He has yet to give up a run in six appearances and has looked overpowering at times.

The Mets bullpen has been one of the best in the league for well over a month now, and last night’s shutdown of the Yankees was just business as usual for Mets relievers who just go out night after night and simply dazzle.

About the Author: Rob Johnson

9 Comments + Add Comment

Hodges14 May 21, 2011 at 9:16 am

Beato has been a huge part of the bullpen’s success too, and does anybody miss Parnell?
Mr North Jersey May 21, 2011 at 11:10 am

I agree HoJo the Mets pen has performed well for sometime now. Of note should be that the Mets put themselves in a position to be able to swap people out with how they were able to have players clear waivers and set their roster early to allow them to still be able to make changes down the road as they have while looking for the right combination of arms in the pen.

Something I suspect will be a continued process this year as players stop performing or get hurt and arms that may not have performed well early may get a 2nd chance as the season goes along.

I did a post this morning highlighting the Mets relief pitching over the last 26 games (17-9).

I hope you don’t mind me adding the link here in this post. I think it would add to what you already talked about.

http://realdirtymets.com/2011/05/21/a-look-at-the-ny-mets-relief-pitching-over-the-last-26-games/
- Metsie May 21, 2011 at 12:32 pm
  
  As much as I like the Beato kid, the Bullpen has been helped more by the fact that our starters can now go further than 6 Innings and the fact that Isringhausen has come in a pretty much solidified the 8th Inning role. And Isringhausen has also added a bit of Veteran Leadership that should not be dicsounted in our very young pen.
  
  It’s not just a mere coincidence that the day Isringhausen came back the pen started holding the line!
  
  They are well rested because no one has to go 2 or 3 innings every other day and the fact that we have the 8th and 9th set, the other guys can rotate in and out and stay fresh and rested.
  - Mr North Jersey May 21, 2011 at 12:59 pm
    
    Good point.
    
    Having starters get at least through 5 definitely helps any bullpen and Izzy taking the role of 8th inning setup man and performing well has allowed Collins to start defining set roles for people in the pen.
    - Metsie May 21, 2011 at 1:49 pm
      
      Well I’m not so sure he has defined any role other than the 8th, But what that did was stop terry from playing merry go round to FIND that 8th inning guy, And now he could save his two best guys for the 7th (Beato and Buc) and that means you don’t have to overwork that pen from the 7th inning on…
      
      I do worry about overusing Beato though…But maybe now we don’t have to.
Metsie May 21, 2011 at 12:27 pm

Just in case anyone was interested….

The Phillies started the year going 18-8 in their FIRST 26 games

In the last 18 they have gone 9-9

In our first 18 we went 5-13. If we had played .500 baseball then we would be in 2nd place!

Something I wanted you guys to know and think about the next time you think a post on trading away everyone is a good idea!
- Mr North Jersey May 21, 2011 at 1:03 pm
  
  Metsie, based on what you just said you might find this interesting.
  
  The Mets over the last 26 games have posed the 2nd best record in MLB. The Red Sox posing the best overall.
  
  http://realdirtymets.com/2011/05/21/a-look-at-mets-nl-standing-up-to-since-4202011-rev-2-0/
  - Metsie May 21, 2011 at 1:43 pm
    
    And both started off just as horribly too! LOL
    Thanks for the link dude!
  - Metsie May 21, 2011 at 1:58 pm
    
    It’s that your site?
    
    Couldn’t comment said something about registering but didn’t see a register link.

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