Cleveland Indians: The long-awaited return of the Bullpen Mafia

Who is the ‘Chris Perez’ of 2020? Answer: Brad Hand

This one should be rather obvious as the closer should reflect the closer, but the similarities go well beyond just their role out of the pen.

We’ll start with Brad Hand this season. It has been said that Hand has struggled, and although some stats might say that, he’s come through when it mattered. On save opportunities, he’s perfect this season, going nine-for-nine. However, he has still given up seven runs, four earned, to result in a bullpen-high 3.72 ERA and another bullpen-high 1.03 WHIP.

Now, flashback to the 2011 closer Chris Perez and a similar story can be written. Perez that season logged a Bullpen Mafia-high 3.32 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP, but still managed to lock up 36 saves on the season. When it mattered, he came through.

The back-end guy, like Perez or Hand, isn’t necessarily meant to pitch a perfect inning, but to secure the win and both Perez and Hand have played that role well in their respective Bullpen Mafia groups.

They might not have always accomplished the save with ease, but they accomplished it nonetheless. Despite some struggles throughout the season, they could be relied on to make sure that the team captured the win and they did it well.