| Douglas Benton. 2nd July, 2007 - 2:20 pm
 They aren?t flashy or have the superstars people are drawn too, but the San Diego Padres have been consistently good in 2007 under new manager Bud Black. The Padres are 45-33 coming in action Saturday, thanks in part to the emergence of first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and their starting pitching depth led by Jake Peavy and Chris Young. However, it is a dominant bullpen that has given the Padres stability late in games and a first place standing in the National League West.
Now in his 14th season with the San Diego Padres, the bullpen starts by being able to hand the ball to closer Trevor Hoffman at the end of games. He has been his filthy self in 2007 with a 2-3 record, 22 saves and a 2.10 ERA.
Hoffman doesn?t throw as hard as he once did, but his fastball is still in the high 80s to complement his renowned change-up. Hoffman?s game is hitting spots and staying away from the big mistake, which he continues to do at this late stage of his career.
His running mate is set-up man Scott Linebrink, who could be closing for a handful of teams in the league right now. The right-hander is a two-pitch reliever, relying on a mid-90s fastball with some sink and a hard slider to keep hitters honest. He is 2-1 with a 2.55 ERA.
Both Linebrink and Hoffman have been in San Diego for some time now, but new additions like right-handers Heath Bell and Cla Meredith have added substance to an already top bullpen.
Bell is the only true power arm in the pen, averaging more than a strikeout per inning. He?s also a fastball-slider pitcher with his fastball clocking in regularly around 95 mph. He is carrying a 1.55 ERA thus far in the season.
Meredith doesn?t overpower batters, but his unique motion confuses hitters and makes his sinker and slider a little more daunting.
The only drawback to the bullpen for San Diego is their lack of proven left-handers to turn to for situational use. In the National League, this will become important come playoff time with hitters like Milwaukee?s Prince Fielder, New York?s Carlos Beltran and Philadelphia?s Ryan Howard.
The Padres don?t have the star power of the Mets or the youthful excitement of the Diamondbacks and Brewers, but with a tough minded team and a loaded bullpen, maybe the Padres will prove me wrong again and show up on my television come October again.
How far do you think the Padres will go? Email your thoughts to Douglas.Benton@realgm.com |
