Ugh, the smell of my onsies de Mayo is so much worse than a normal day. I reek of sizzlin' fajitas and am all cotton-mouthed from... well let's just say alcohol. So attacking the usual Saturday bullpen rundown is a dizzying affair to say the least. Speaking of a dizzying places, let's look at the Rockies bullpen situation; it's definitely not all kush, but it's not charcoal brick pack. The trust in Jake McGee is still there, because to be honest, the talent level behind him isn't really there, is not ready, or has no experience in the end-of-game thing. Behind Jake are Chad Qualls, who has pitched the majority of the right-handed match-ups in the 8th inning with a smattering of Boone Logan mixed in. Now, I was nervous about McGee's K-rate until I saw what Qualls' was. The stout bunch of McGee and Qualls have a combined K/9 over the last 14 games of 5.16. That is combined! I can't make up this stuff. The role of closer is most likely safe because the next guy up is Qualls, and well, if that last stat statement wasn't enough to make you bored, I don't know what else to say. The look of the rest of the pen is very unproven with Scott Oberg, Justin Miller, and Gonzalez Germen. What this bullpen needs is a youth movement to come front and center. They have the guys there, but aren't utilizing them in a role that is conducive for anything outside of dynasty leagues that count holds. Eddie Butler and Carlos Estevez (no not that one) are a good start to what could be a decent mix. And yes, I see Butler as a bullpen arm. Getting chances are sparser than other teams for the Rockies, but with time, and once they start invigorating the youth into the chain of holds and saves command, progress will be made even above sea level. Let's see what other gobs of knowledge we have for the closers over the last few weeks...
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