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The Top 3 Relief Pitchers In Major League Baseball

November 21st, 2011 | by admin |

How many times have you seen your team’s bullpen give away a hard earned lead? It happens more often than fans, and managers, would like it to. Major league teams are constantly searching for an extra piece to add to their bullpen; relief pitchers are some of the most crucial role players in the game today. So, who are the top relievers? To find the top three relievers in baseball”excluding closers”one must look only as far as the National League East.

3. Jonny Venters, RHP, Atlanta Braves – In only his second full season, Venters has established himself as a premier pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. With a devastating power slider that baffles righties and lefties alike, Venters managed to put up 96 strikeouts in only 88 innings, while allowing only a 1.84 ERA to opposing offenses.

2. Tyler Clippard, RHP, Washington Nationals – Washington’s setup man posted very similar numbers to Venters’, though in an arguably more difficult situation. With Atlanta’s starting rotation exiting games with leads intact much more often than the Nats, Clippard was constantly thrown into action with runners on, and still emerged unscathed. Clippard has a very bright future.

1. Eric O’Flaherty, LHP, Atlanta Braves – Atlanta’s former lefty specialist certainly emerged in 2011, as he posted the league’s lowest ERA among full-time players at a miniscule 0.98. Being a top reliever is all about preserving leads and not allowing runs to score – in this sense, Eric O’Flaherty did his job better than every other relief pitcher in baseball.The information doesn’t stop now. Keep looking: You: David Robertson and the Top 5 Setup Men in Baseball