The Pirates bullpen is one of the main reasons why a once promising season turned on a dime and became the most disappointing in a decade.
It’s improved since the All-Star break and especially the trade deadline, but a combination of relievers sank the Pirates’ ship.
Dennis Santana opened the season as the Pirates’ primary closer, but struggled mightily.
The baton has been passed to lefty Mason Montgomery. He took it and ran.
Montgomery owns six saves in eight opportunities and a 3.19 ERA over 53.2 innings
this season.
His .187 opponent batting average is the best of his career and has limited hitters to 22 walks.
Montgomery has become a significantly different pitcher in July and August, depleting a 4.68 ERA down by a run and a half since being entrusted with a more high-leverage role.
In 13 games spanning 12.1 innings in July, the hard-throwing lefty earned a 1.46 ERA. Montgomery struck out 23 and limited opposing hitters to a .073 average.
Montgomery owns a 100-101 mph fastball that has played well at the top of the zone. It’s enhanced his slider (16%), sinker (16%), and curveball (14%) usage and his ability to keep hitters off balance.
Despite being a background character in the Brandon Lowe trade, Montgomery may become the most important addition.
With Lowe set to be a free agent and Jake Mangum profiling best as a fourth outfielder, Montgomery has emerged as the Bucs’ best relief pitcher.
August has been nearly perfect. Through nine games (8.2 innings), Montgomery hasn’t allowed a run and has dominated opponents.
The results speak for themselves with 18 strikeouts compared to four hits and one walk, a 0.58 WHIP.
Montgomery has converted all four saves he’s attempted.
While the bullpen has let the Pirates down on numerous occasions and derailed the season, the brightest star shining on the mound could provide the team with a closer for years to come.
Montgomery is under team control for four more years and has sorted out his control issues that plagued him in Tampa.
In 53.2 innings, Montgomery has struck out a career-high 87 batters compared to 22 walks.
Fans pleaded for the Pirates to acquire Aroldis Chapman leading up to the deadline, but they’ve developed their own flamethrowing left-hander to anchor the bullpen and finally lock down the ninth.
