CLEVELAND _ When it comes to connotations, the term "bullpen game" inspires nothing but negativity.
It evokes dire straits, which certainly fits the description for the current Indians starting rotation.
Carlos Carrasco's season is over because of a broken right hand. Danny Salazar is out until at least the playoffs with a strained forearm. Trevor Bauer has been erratic. Josh Tomlin was miserable in July before bouncing back Aug. 14 against the White Sox and continuing his resurgence Tuesday night against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field.
Granted, the Indians lost their first "bullpen game" 6-2 when Tomlin's turn was skipped Sept. 5 at home against the Houston Astros. But of late, the bullpen's extended duty has been a thing of beauty.
While Tribe manager Terry Francona still doesn't like the expanded roster rule, he's masterfully manipulated his relievers, who now number 15 with Tuesday's call-up of Adam Plutko. According to ESPN, the Indians' bullpen ERA since Aug. 1 is the best in the majors.
It's almost as if the inner machinations of the game ramp up when anyone but American League Cy Young candidate Corey Kluber is on the mound. Despite the adversity, Francona has kept the Tribe's pursuit of its first AL Central Division title since 2007 on point.
On Saturday, when Carrasco was hurt on the second pitch against the Detroit Tigers, Francona called bullpen coach Jason Bere and said, " 'Tell them to put their seat belts on because they're all going to pitch and we're going to win.' " Nine pitchers later, the Indians pulled out a 1-0 victory in the 10th inning.
It's almost as if the aforementioned Astros game was a dress rehearsal and the Tribe relievers are getting more comfortable with their starring roles. Another "bullpen game" is slated for Saturday, when the Indians host the Chicago White Sox.
"The first time we did it, a few guys were asking, 'Is there an order we're going in?' " Bere said Tuesday. "There is no specific order. No guy's been told he's going to go this many specific innings. It's not like spring training."
Francona said he tries not to stray from the relievers' regular roles.
"You could look at the lineup and go, 'Here, here, here and here,' almost like the Strat-O-Matic," he said of the fantasy sports game. "Try not to do that. Obviously, you want to have a reason when you bring guys in, but you also don't want to get too out of what we do."
Bere gave a glimpse of how Francona reacts to situations, including where the opponent is in the batting order.
"Tito obviously has a better grasp on that than I do," Bere said. "Just paying attention and knowing maybe it's a situation where we need a ground ball to get out of an inning, maybe we need a guy to throw sinkers.
"We have plenty of pieces to do it. We have guys with straight (velocity) that can pitch at the top of the zone, we have guys who throw sinkers, we have guys that throw sliders, we have guys who can do both. There's enough of a mix that they can definitely get it done."
Andrew Miller and Dan Otero said the Tribe bullpen is not more competitive than any other they've been a part of, although Otero admitted, "We compete about our arguments, not even on-the-field stuff."
Otero said the recent success in "bullpen games," whether expected or unexpected, requires "getting mentally ready a couple innings earlier or a couple minutes earlier than you're used to."
Bere said observers have forgotten that during the Indians' 14-game winning streak, some members of the bullpen didn't touch the ball for seven or eight consecutive days. They're making up for that now. So when a "bullpen game" comes up, Bere said some of them jokingly throw their hat in the ring to start.
The combination of Francona's masterful juggling and the bullpen's ability to remain focused from the first pitch has kept the Indians' division title hopes alive. The bullpen may also have a hand in saving the injury ravaged rotation in the postseason.
"You hear a lot the mentality of bullpen guys, a little odd just because that's how they live. They're adrenalin junkies and they have to be," Bere said. "When the phone rings and their name is called, their heart starts going and they use their adrenalin. Some of these situations are not ideal. But as of now they've done a great job, and we're not done having to do it, either."
