Pitching importance rotating to bullpen

While the Orioles concentrate on building a rotation primarily through the draft, with gradual introductions to the majors that have led to resets at Triple-A, they also understand how a lockdown bullpen would tie together the whole process.

The Rays keep providing examples that the Orioles don't need or request. They get it.

No reason to beat them over the head. Or to keep beating them, the latest sweep occurring over the weekend at Tropicana Field.

Michael Wacha was an opener yesterday, a strategy that the Rays embrace like a relative. They can do it because they have bulk relievers and tremendous depth. Power arms and guys who just know how to pitch, like the way former Astros starter Collin McHugh had the Orioles chasing breaking balls down and away throughout Saturday's outing.

The names change, but the philosophy and results are identical.

Tampa Bay began yesterday with the lowest bullpen ERA in the American League and third-lowest in the majors at 3.16. The 1.18 WHIP was first in the AL and fourth in the majors.

The 283 strikeouts were first in the AL, directly ahead of the Orioles (278), and the workload was heavy with 276 innings that led the AL and ranked second overall. The Orioles were fourth with 251 2/3 innings.

The Orioles dropped back in the ERA pack, ranked 21st in the majors before yesterday at 4.54. Their 1.32 bullpen WHIP was 17th.

This is nothing new for the Rays, who keep contending with starters getting into the middle innings, when an opener isn't used, and relievers slamming the door.

Their bullpen was second in the league in ERA last summer at 3.37 and third in WHIP at 1.19. A 3.71 ERA led the majors in 2019 and a 1.20 WHIP tied for first in the league.

It's what they do.

It's what the Orioles aspire to do, rather than just hoping for deep starts and a couple dependable setup men and a closer. Especially with more youth injected into the rotation, including the eventual and highly anticipated debuts of DL Hall and Grayson Rodriguez. Kyle Bradish could arrive later this summer.

"It feels like when we play Tampa the majority of games have been like that, where we're chasing a run or two and we just have a hard time once we get into their bullpen pushing a run or two to across to either even it or take a lead," manager Brandon Hyde said via Zoom after Saturday's 5-4 loss. "That's how it's been for the last couple of years, for sure. They have really good stuff out of their 'pen against everybody in the league. That's why they're in first place, the best record in the American League. That's why they went to the World Series last year.

"They do a great job in their organization of acquiring and claiming and producing really, really good bullpen arms. They have a ton of guys on the (injured list) right now, too, that we saw last year. They continue to get really good arms. They give you all different sorts of looks that are easy to match up with your hitters."

Rays relievers permitted two hits in 14 1/3 scoreless innings in the series. They covered the last seven innings yesterday and allowed one baserunner on a walk. Four pitchers following Wacha and shoving.

The bullpen ERA and WHIP are 3.08 and 1.16, respectively, after yesterday's dominant display. Meanwhile, the Orioles continue to struggle with starters hitting a wall in the middle innings and they're scrambling for solutions.

They keep projecting former first-round pick Hunter Harvey as a high-leverage power arm, then wait for him to get healthy again. Dillon Tate from the right side and Tanner Scott from the left could fit the description with more consistency. Especially when it comes to Scott's control.

Paul Fry is going to garner trade interest as the July 30 deadline approaches. In the meantime, he's now the closer and the one reliever Hyde has been able to trust throughout the season.

Rule 5 pick Tyler Wells could earn some starts later in the summer, but his stuff suggests that he also might be a high-leverage power reliever or someone capable of working in a bulk role. The Orioles are figuring out exactly what they've got.

Cole Sulser has closed and his control is much better in 2021. Jorge López remains in the rotation, but his upper-90s fastball and dominance early in most outings make him a closing tease or long man.

There's been talk of Mike Baumann perhaps transitioning to a late relief role, but his prospect status is based on his starter's pedigree.

Perhaps a surplus of pitching will trickle down to the 'pen. Maybe the Orioles won't have to cover so many innings down the road, though there's no route back to Palmer, McNally, Cuellar and Dobson.

A rotation filled with high draft picks is the dream. The reality is teams discovering that the 'pen is mightier.

Meanwhile, Dean Kremer is expected to be recalled today and start the series opener in Cleveland, putting three rookies in the rotation.

Kremer made his last start Tuesday with Triple-A Norfolk and was charged with three runs in 4 2/3 innings, but Cody Carroll let two inherited runners score. Kremer allowed only one hit, walked three and struck out seven.

In his other start with the Tides, Kremer allowed one earned run (two total) and two hits in four innings with two walks and seven strikeouts.

Getting length is going to be a challenge again, and Matt Harvey starts the following night.