In the world of baseball, the saying “if you have three capable closers, at least one of them is going to suffer” might sound like a riddle, but for the Detroit Tigers, it’s a reality that’s hitting home hard. The Tigers have discovered the downside of their bullpen depth in a rather painful way, leading the league in blown leads. Tuesday night was just another chapter in this saga, as Detroit’s slim 2-1 lead over the Astros vanished in a three-run eighth inning by Houston.
The story of the Tigers’ bullpen woes is personified in Will Vest. Once a formidable presence in the AL Central, Vest now finds himself in a rough patch, sporting a 6.04 ERA this season. A recent injury didn’t help, and his streak of scoreless outings was snapped against Houston when an unearned run crossed the plate on his watch.
The Tigers’ bullpen strategy seems to be taking its toll on Vest. While in theory, a relief pitcher should be just as effective in the seventh or eighth inning as in the ninth, the mental game is a different beast altogether. Vest has shown time and again that he thrives when he knows his role, specifically as a closer, where he’s shined over the past two seasons.
This predicament isn’t just about Vest, though. The responsibility falls on the shoulders of Tigers’ manager AJ Hinch and general manager Scott Harris.
Last season, the bullpen was a bright spot for the Tigers. There was no urgent need to sign big names like Kenley Jansen or experiment with Kyle Finnegan in the closing role.
Vest himself racked up 24 saves last year, proving his mettle when the pressure was on. But now, with an overabundance of talent, the Tigers seem to be overthinking their bullpen strategy, inadvertently complicating Vest’s role.
So, what’s the remedy for Vest’s struggles? Simply thrusting him back into the closer role might not be the best move given his current form.
Instead, Hinch might consider easing Vest back into games without the weight of the world on his shoulders, allowing him to rebuild his confidence. Once he’s back in form, a return to late-inning duties could be in the cards.
The Tigers, admittedly, aren’t setting the league on fire this season. This reality opens up the possibility of trading Jansen or Finnegan to teams in need of bullpen help as the trade deadline approaches, potentially clearing the path for Vest to reclaim his ninth-inning throne.
Despite the challenges, Vest has shown signs of turning things around. His 1.69 ERA in June is a testament to his resilience.
Tuesday’s loss wasn’t solely on him, as Keider Montero set the stage with runners on base, leaving Vest in a high-pressure situation. He did his best to navigate the storm, even if the lead slipped away.
In today’s game, rigid bullpen roles are becoming a relic of the past. Vest will eventually need to adapt to pitching in earlier innings.
However, the current evidence suggests that his best performances come when he’s called upon in the ninth. For now, the Tigers might want to play to his strengths, giving him the ninth inning when possible and allowing him to do what he does best.