Cleveland Indians: Power Ranking Each Member of Their Vaunted Bullpen

The Cleveland Indians have been one of the biggest surprises in baseball this season, and much of the credit for their 47-42 record belongs to their bullpen. They are second in the American league in bullpen victories with 15, and their 3.18 ERA is third best in the AL.

Here is a ranking of the seven pitchers in the Indians’ bullpen.

7. Chad Durbin

Chad Durbin’s 6.51 ERA makes him the weak link of the Indians’ bullpen. But Durbin is not as bad as his ERA would suggest.

He has 32 strikeouts in 37.1 innings this season, which is third-most in the Indians’ bullpen. He is also 2-1 and has allowed only three of 22 inherited runners to score this year.

6. Frank Herrmann

This season has been an uphill battle for Frank Herrmann after his ERA was a whopping 8.49 at the start of June. Since then he has lowered his ERA to 3.90 and has allowed only two earned runs in his last 13 games.

The long man of the Cleveland bullpen has 23 strikeouts in 30 innings and a 1-0 record.

5. Joe Smith

Joe Smith is only 27 and has been excellent as the bullpen’s option against right-handed hitters. He has a 2-1 record, and his 0.85 ERA in 31.2 innings is the best among AL relievers. But he is used primarily as a situational pitcher, and thus, his ERA is especially low.  

4. Rafael Perez

Rafael Perez has not pitched in as many high-leverage situations for the Indians as he has in the past. But he is still a valuable option for the bullpen.

Perez has not disappointed as the bullpen’s preferred choice to face left-handed batters, who are hitting only .222 against him this season. Overall, he has 3-1 record and has a 1.91 ERA in 37.2 innings. He also has not allowed a home run this season.

3. Vinnie Pestano

Vinnie Pestano is becoming one of the dominant young relievers in baseball. The 26-year-old leads the Cleveland bullpen in strikeouts with 47 during his first full season in the majors.

Batters are hitting only .185 against him, and he is seventh in the AL with 12 holds. He is 1-0 with a 2.97 ERA in 33.1 innings.

2. Chris Perez

The lone All-Star from the Tribe’s bullpen has been excellent as the team’s closer with 21 saves in 22 chances this season. Perez’s only blown save was in April, and he has not blown a save in his last 15 chances.

He has surrendered only two home runs and has a 2.43 ERA in 33.1 innings. Perez has the fourth-most saves in the AL.

1. Tony Sipp

Chris Perez may be the All-Star from the staff, but it’s because of Tony Sipp that he earned a spot on the AL roster. As the primary setup man, Sipp is 4-1 and has a 2.72 ERA in 36.1 innings.

Sipp has 17 holds on the season and his 40 appearances ranks fifth in the AL. Batters are hitting only .165 against him. The Indians are 29-11 in games where Sipp has appeared.