Other than maybe baserunning, one thing that really stands out so far is that Cora seems to be inclined to pull starters earlier rather than risking pulling them too late.
This may well be a SSS issue. It's the first week. But the stats are very telling. Our starters have a sub 1.000 ERA. Our bullpen has a 4.000 ERA. Our starters have been cruising with relatively low pitch counts. When pulled this year they were at: 76, 91, 82, 79, 92, 93, 89. In seven games, we've put 27 innings on bullpen arms. 6 of those were extra innings, but still, that's a lot of innings to put on your bullpen when your starters are cruising. And, extra innings happen.
Plus, all of these games except one were tight. I'm hoping that our bullpen's current ERA is higher than it will be at the end of the year. But even if it's what, 3.50, they are going to give up runs. Maybe Smith and Kelly will get better and Barnes worse, or, whatever, but by and large, year in and year out, if your starters leave in the sixth inning, you're going to give up on average between another run or two for the rest of the game, whatever the name on the back of the jersey.
And, also, our bullpen is not constructed for long relief at the moment but I guess the hope is that with bullpen options like Velezquez, Wright, and Johnson, eventually it will be. Arm fatigue for starters at the end of the year -- especially Sale -- is something to worry about. But, by and large, I tend to think this stuff takes care of itself. There are going to be days when we get 2 innings out of a starter but are still in the game and need 7 innings or more of high-lev bullpen. Starters get 4 days off and I think should be ridden when they can. Again, first week only, but it will be interesting to watch whether this is a philosophy.
