One theme we saw from the entire 2016 postseason, especially in the World Series, was a shift in how bullpens were used. Terry Francona constantly went to the whip with Andrew Miller, Bryan Shaw, and Cody Allen. In the World Series, Joe Maddon returned the favor with Aroldis Chapman. This was not just a departure from what we have seen in prior postseasons, but also in how Terry Collins has managed his bullpens.
Whereas Francona and Maddon asked more from their relievers, Collins pushed his starting pitchers in the postseason. It worked with Jacob deGrom in Game 5 of the NLDS as he somehow navigated through six innings allowing only two runs.
Conversely, it did not work with Matt Harvey in Game 5 of the World Series. Collins stuck with Harvey after Harvey told his manager he wanted to stay in the game. A walk and a double later, the Mets were in trouble. The Royals would tie it up in the ninth, and they would win the World Series with a seven run 12th inning.
Between the fallout from the Harvey decision with the praise that has been bestowed upon Francona with how he managed his bullpen this postseason, it is something that Terry Collins has considered himself:
“I don’t think you can do a lot during the season, because the season’s so long. You’ve got to protect your guys. But I think you’ll see the World Series and the playoffs played in a different manner from now. Those guys know their teams better than I do. You’re pitching good, you’re staying in the game. The Indians’ bullpen was outstanding throughout the entire playoffs. My guys are pretty good. I thought about last year, even Game 5 (of the 2015 World Series when Harvey talked his way into staying in the game). Joe’s a good manager. He knows what he’s doing. He’s got a good feel for things. You make decisions that you think are the best for your team and live with them.”
(Christian Red, New York Daily News).
While Collins likes his guys in the bullpen, he also likes his starting pitching, and who can blame him? Collins has a starting staff that features deGrom, Harvey, and Noah Syndergaard. All three of these pitchers have shown themselves not just to be great starting pitchers, but also great postseason pitchers. As long as they are healthy heading into the postseason, Collins does not anticipate having a short hook with any of them saying,
“We’ve got to keep those (pitchers) healthy. After watching the World Series, you’re picturing your guys out on that mound, they’re pretty good. I think they’re going to get a little farther than 4 2/3 (innings).”
Obviously, the key is health, and most notably Harvey’s health. On that front, Collins noted, “He looks great. He’s in tremendous shape. That’s what you’d expect from him. I know when he shows up in January, he’s gonna be raring to go.”
With Harvey, deGrom, and Syndergaard all healthy, the Mets have a terrific shot to go back to the postseason. If they are back in the postseason, Collins is 100% correct. These guys do not need to be bailed out before the fifth inning. They can go deep into the game and hand it off to a very capable bullpen.
