Athletics Bullpen Could Fuel Late-Season Push
Despite owning the worst bullpen ERA in MLB, the Athletics' relief corps is showing signs of improvement. Manager Mark Kotsay has begun to define roles, with Elvis Alvarado emerging as closer after a blown save. The group's underlying talent suggests it could be a key factor in a turnaround.
The Athletics' bullpen has logged 507.1 innings this season with a 5.64 ERA, a full 0.40 runs worse than the 29th-ranked Royals. Manager Mark Kotsay has rotated through four closers this year, with Alvarado only assuming the role after Harris blew a save against Kansas City on Aug. 18.
Brady Basso has emerged as a reliable multi-inning option, posting a 3.00 ERA in August, or 0.82 when excluding his opener appearance against Houston. In the Twins series finale, he threw two scoreless innings on 15 pitches. Harris and Medina also appear to be settling into defined roles, giving the bullpen more structure heading into the stretch run.
The Athletics' bullpen improvement could have ripple effects beyond the team's own standings. A late-season surge would energize the West Sacramento fan base and could influence how the front office approaches offseason roster decisions. For players like Alvarado and Basso, strong finishes may shape their career trajectories and contract values. The broader baseball community may also watch whether defined roles — rather than constant shuffling — prove to be the catalyst for a struggling bullpen