The Athletic linked to Fangraphs data for bullpen stats for the first month of the season. The Padres are leading the league with a crazy 1.66 bullpen ERA through the first month (this makes the fact that the Astros scored on the bullpen in two games earlier more impressive).
But the Astros pen is currently ranked as follows:
ERA, FIP and xFIP #3 2.77, 3.05, and 3.45
K/9 #2 10.46
BB/9 #6 3.04
HR/9 #9 0.80
HR/FB #9 8.1%
LOB% #4 79.1%
WAR #5
It is clearly a strength of this team so far. They are 8th in BABIP at .254 but the two teams ahead of them in ERA, the Padres (.236) and Giants (.241) are even more lucky than the Astros are purported to being.
Through 6/22 games, they have slid some from their earlier heights. but the LOB% shows they are still making some good pitches when the pressure is on.
What is even more amazing is that they are 25th in reliever innings pitched at 551 1/3. With the injuries to the starters, that is amazing that that number is that low. Detroit by the way leads the league in bullpen innings with 694.
I’ve kind of been wondering if they might dangle one of those arms in a package to get a bat? I know, not the easiest deal to make bc teams looking for bullpen help typically are contenders but maybe a three team deal where we give a bullpen arm to a contending team and a prospect to a non-contending team to get a bat from a non-contending team. The team that gets our bullpen arm also sends the non-intending team another prospect.
The fact that this club has managed to put together the season it has goes well beyond a wing and a prayer. As has been pointed out in other threads, it’s been a joy to watch.