The Cincinnati Reds just recently took over the title of "Best Record in Baseball" from the Washington Nationals. It is, in no small part, due to also having the best bullpen in baseball (tied with Tampa Bay). Reds relievers have combined for a 2.76 ERA, led by Aroldis Chapman's microscopic mark of 1.27. Here are the five best team bullpen ERAs:
| Best Bullpens (2012) |
| Team |
Bullpen ERA |
| Cincinnati |
2.76 |
| Tampa Bay |
2.76 |
| Oakland |
2.83 |
| Pittsburgh |
2.94 |
Kansas City
|
3.03 |
It's no coincidence that the first four teams are all at least 10 games over .500.
The worst bullpens in baseball this year? The struggling New York Mets with a 4.84 bullpen ERA and the Houston Astros at 4.80.
By the way, the Nationals, with the second-best record in baseball, have the best MLB starting staff this year (3.27 ERA), followed by Tampa Bay's 3.49 (second in starter ERA and tied for first for the bullpen) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (3.52).
The Bill James Handbook 2013 will feature a complete listing of team starter and bullpen ERAs when it is released on November 1st.