It wasn’t really expected
Usually, as the season goes on into a certain rhythm, we become accustomed to certain things. When it comes down to a bullpen and how it is used, we have gotten so used to having certain pitchers pitch in certain situations that when they are not in that role, even on full-ish rest, it raises some questions. Last night was one of those examples. We have seen Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm and Jordan Romano used in a certain order (usually the one listed just now) so that Romano is the one closing out games. Rob Thomson decided that last night was the perfect night to try something new. Instead of Romano closing, it was Kerkering finishing the game off for his first career save.
Which brings us to today’s question: are you good with the bullpen roles Thomson used last night against the Marlins? We all know that the manager likes to juggle roles once the games get a little more important, using his best relievers in highest leverage situations. Maybe that was what he was thinking last night, that he wanted to see what they would do and how they would respond when slotted a little earlier or later in the game. Does this mean these are the new roles moving forward? Maybe, maybe not. We’ll have to see if the patterns remain in the next few games, if the rearrange yet again or if they back to the way they have been used all season long.