Right-hander Santiago Casilla will be back in the A's bullpen Friday at Detroit, making the team's best unit even better.
Despite losing co-closer Joey Devine for the season after elbow surgery and despite closer Brad Ziegler's limited availability and effectiveness because of illness this month, Oakland's relief corps has been terrific. That's under some trying circumstances: With a very young rotation that averages 23 years and includes three rookies, the bullpen is often asked to take over early. In 18 of the past 19 games, A's starters have failed to go more than six innings, but the extra workload has not had an adverse impact on the team's relievers. Their 2.75 ERA is the lowest in the majors, and opponents are batting .211 against them, tied for the lowest. The unit has allowed one run or fewer in 21 of 31 games while working the most innings in the majors, 122.
Standouts include Michael Wuertz, who has retired the last 19 men he has faced, and rookie right-hander Andrew Bailey, who is expected to become the closer soon. Bailey had a string of 16 consecutive batters retired end Wednesday, but he has a 1.61 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 22 innings.
Veteran Russ Springer has had some difficulties retiring left-handed hitters, but the team's oldest player (40) has 17 strikeouts in 15 innings and a 2.40 ERA while providing experience and a stabilizing influence to the young staff. Casilla has a 1.59 ERA and a .079 opponents' average, and he hasn't allowed a run in his past seven appearances.
