Oh The Pitchers You Choose

Mike Adams winding up

While the Padres have been lacking in run support, and wins, and hits, they have been excellent in their bullpen. The only proof you need of that, outside of the 3.46 ERA that places them fifth best in the National League and tenth in the Major Leagues, is the duel between Padres’ Mike Adams and Cardinals’ Albert Pujols during last night’s game. The battle between Adams and Pujols left the air crackling with electricity. It was a clutch out that kept the Padres within range of a win. With seven men eagerly waiting in the Padres bullpen, how does skipper Bud Black decide which one will be the best for a particular situation? I caught up with him today in the dugout and here’s what he said:

“I don’t want to say that there are loosely defined positions, but there are particular spots where each pitcher feels comfortable. Adams comes in usually in the eighth with either a lead or a tie, and that’s home or away. Gregerson and Leubke in the seventh and Bell in the ninth.”

So there you have it, straight from the GM himself, the key to utilizing all the potential in the Padres’ magnificent bullpen.