Problem solver?

Only 4 pitchers threw at least 200 innings in the 2021 season. Bullpen usage has been extremely important for the MLB teams nowadays. However, how to correctly make pitching changes is not an easy task.

Some pitchers can pitch well with runners on base. However, some pitchers don’t. In the 2021 season, some pitchers frequently entered games with runners on base.

During the regular season, Steve Cishek made 74 relief appearances and posted a 3.42 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. Among these 74 relief appearances, there were 40 times that he entered the game with runners on. Additionally, there were 61 runners on base when Cishek entered games and 26 of them subsequently scored.

In addition, the Padres’ left-handed pitcher Tim Hill made 78 relief appearances, tying 3rd most among MLB relievers. He tossed a career-high 59.2 innings and owned a 3.62 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. During the regular season, Hill entered games with runners on 32 times. Moreover, 46 runners were on base when Hill entered games and he allowed 12 inherited runners to score this season.

Furthermore, Joe Mantiply made 57 relief appearances, most among Diamondbacks pitchers. During the regular season, Mantiply threw a career-high 39.2 innings with a 3.40 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. There were 30 times that Mantiply entered games with runners on. Additionally, 50 runners were on base when he entered games and 10 runners subsequently scored. Meanwhile, Josh Taylor also entered games with runners on 30 times in 2021. 45 runners were on base when Taylor entered games and he gave up 11 inherited runners to score this year. In total, Josh Taylor made 61 relief appearances in 2021 and finished the season with a 3.40 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. He struck out 60 batters over 47.2 innings.

In 2020, Adam Cimber made 14 relief appearances for the Indians and had a 3.97 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. On November 30, 2020, he was traded to the Marlins for cash. In the 2021 season, he made 33 relief appearances for the Marlins and posted a 2.88 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. In June, he was traded to the Blue Jays to enhance the Blue Jays bullpen depth. He made 39 relief appearances for the Blue Jays and had a great 1.69 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. During the regular season, Cimber entered 29 games with runners on base. There were 38 inherited runners when he entered games and 10 runners eventually scored. At the same time, Dillon Tate entered games with runners on 29 times as well. 53 runners were on base when Tate entered games and 25 runners subsequently scored.

Finally, Yusmeiro Petit and Genesis Cabrera each came out of the bullpen 28 times when runners were on base in the 2021 season.

Making pitching changes is not an easy decision, a manager has to think of several situations and choose the right pitcher to enter the game. Some pitchers are good problem solvers, who can enter the game with runners on and help a team get out of trouble.