San Diego Padres Getting Good Production Out of ‘Pen

Thirteen games into the regular-season, the San Diego Padres’ bullpen has been not only a strength but among one of the best in all of baseball.

After Brad Hand‘s mini-meltdown in the second game of the season (five runs, two earned, in one inning), most San Diego Padres’ fans thought to themselves (and vented on Twitter) about having to go through yet another season with a weak bullpen.

Sorry to burst your collective bubbles, but the Friars’ relievers are currently sixth in all of baseball with a 2.41 earned-run average, folks.

Many pundits saw this group as a potential weakness. After Brad Hand, Kirby Yates, and Craig Stammen, the rest of the Friars’ relief corps would be comprised of mostly unproven rookies (of all ages; couldn’t forget about you, Kazuhisa Makita).

Chalk another one up for the field in their ongoing battle versus the experts’ “expert predictions”. Again, not one to brag but…

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Padres relievers have nearly all been terrific

With the exception of Buddy Baumann, who made his first appearance of the season yesterday, and Kyle McGrath, who after one solid performance followed by one not-so-solid one was sent to Triple-A El Paso, the rest of the Padres’ bullpen has been outstanding.

Kirby Yates, who’s been sidelined with an ankle issue, had yet to allow an earned run in his 3.2 innings of work.

Neither Phil Maton (3.2 innings, six strikeouts, no walks) or Craig Stammen (8.1 innings, eight strikeouts, one walk) have allowed one either.

Kaz Makita has a 1.80 earned-run average over five innings of work, his arsenal of different pitches working well for him so far.

Robbie Erlin (eight innings, 3.38 ERA, seven strikeouts, 2 walks), Jordan Lyles (7.1 innings, 2.45 ERA, eight strikeouts, three walks), and Adam Cimber (eight innings, 2.25 ERA, ten strikeouts, two walks) have all been fantastic, as well.

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Even Hand, after that minor-implosion early on, has been lights-out ever since. Over seven innings of work, he’s got an earned-run average of 2.57 with ten strikeouts and four-out-of-five saves converted.

His walks are a little alarming, four already, but after striking out the side in two of his last saves, he looks to be back on track.