The Importance of Being A Reliever: National League

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The NL West is filled with large ballparks and small ERA’s, with Troncoso being one of them.  Since we normally engage in east-coast bias, Troncoso certainly is not a household name.  Take notice, though.  He leads the NL in innings by a relief pitcher (42.1) and is the link to shutdown closer Jonathan Broxton.

-Jeremy Affeldt, San Francisco Giants: (0-1, 14 holds, 1.71 ERA, 31 games)

This name may ring a bell, as Affeldt has been in the NL for the past few seasons, and was even connected to the Phillies this past offseason.  For several years, Affeldt was an underachiever in the AL, but has been stellar since joining the senior circuit. He too plays out west, so very few people realize how superb he has been in front of closer Brian Wilson.

-Arthur Rhodes, Cincinnati Reds: (0-0, 11 holds, 1.59 ERA, 22 games)

I chose Rhodes because of his track record (Rhodes is a 17 year veteran) but the fact is the Reds bullpen has been nearly impenetrable this year.  Just four times the Reds have blown saves in ’09, an NL low, in addition to their league low seven losses out of the ‘pen.  Rhodes, Nick Masset, Danny Herrera, David Weathers, and closer Francisco Cordero all have ERA’s under three.  That’s dangerous.  

-Bobby Parnell, New York Mets: (2-2, 11 holds, 3.20 ERA, 32 games)

If this were last season, a list like this would be void of Mets pitchers.  However, the revamped staff has paid dividends for New York this season, with one of the main reasons being the inclusion of rookie Bobby Parnell.  The kid throws in the high-90’s with regularity, but his slider clocks in at about 85, so that disparity makes him filthy.  Plus, he’s just 24.  

(Statistics as of 7pm on 6/17)

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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