Through the first six weeks of the Major League Baseball season the Detroit Tigers had the best bullpen in the league and it was helping them vs. the baseball odds. The Tigers have an excellent closer in Jose Valverde and Ryan Perry has been excellent as the setup man. Whenever you have money on a team in baseball betting odds it is comforting to know they have a good bullpen. Baseball odds this season indicate that the biggest surprise team in the league is the San Diego Padres. One of the reasons the Padres have had a lot of success is their bullpen. They had a bullpen ERA of less than three and their relievers were leading the league, holding opponents to a batting average of less than .200. Closer Heath Bell has been solid and Luke Gregerson has been excellent. Tim Stauffer has been brilliant as he had a 0.39 ERA in 10 appearances. He is on the DL now though as he had an emergency appendectomy.
The New York Mets were thought to be a team that would struggle this season vs. the baseball odds but their bullpen has helped them out. They are holding opponents to a .215 average. Their closer Francisco Rodriguez has been okay but the real strength has been the rest of the bullpen led by rookie Ryota Igarashi. Also pitching well have been Fernando Nieve, Pedro Feliciano, Jenrry Mejia and Raul Valdes.
The Rockies have good bullpen numbers but they have still struggled vs. the baseball betting odds. And the Rockies are doing it in the bullpen without closer Huston Street who is injured. Manny Corpas has not been great but the rest of the bullpen has led by Randy Flores, Joe Beimel and Matt Daley. Franklin Morales has two blown saves but overall the Rockies have been solid in relief.
A major surprise in terms of bullpen success has been the Minnesota Twins. They lost closer Joe Nathan for the season due to injury but Jon Rauch has been superb. The rest of the bullpen has been solid led by Ron Mahay, Brian Duensing and Matt Guerrier. The Twins have had a lot of early success vs. the baseball lines this season and their bullpen is one reason why.
Never discount the important of the bullpen as you are betting baseball this season as it can be the difference between winning and losing games.