It is not a question that the Oakland Athletics’ bullpen has been a disaster this season. However, the bullpen’s misfortunes are hiding an even greater issue — the lack of success in the back end of the starting rotation. Besides Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir, who have both been pretty rock solid this season, the Athletics have not been able to count on the rest of their starting pitchers to give them quality outings each and every start.

Jesse Hahn has been wildly inconsistent. He has a 4.73 ERA and is only averaging about five strikeouts per nine innings whereas last year he averaged eight. Additionally, Hahn has only reached the sixth inning once so far this season, which was during his first start. By not going deep into a game, he is putting pressure on the bullpen to carry the team for up to four full innings. This rookie needs to step up his game or the A’s will find a replacement.

Besides a couple of games, Drew Pomeranz has not been that great in the rotation. His main issue is walking batters. His career strikeout to walk ratio is 1.95 and, during his outing on May 7, he walked a career-high five hitters. However, if he can have more performances like he did Tuesday night against the Boston Red Sox, then Pomeranz will strengthen the rotation.

Jesse Chavez has not been doing poorly, but the Athletics do value his role as a long reliever in the bullpen more than his spot in the starting rotation. He has been doing an okay job as a fill-in starter in the rotation, but the bullpen certainly needs his help. If Oakland somehow acquires another starter or brings Kendall Graveman back up from Triple-A, it is clear that Chavez will go back to his old role as a long reliever.

Oakland was hoping to get Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin back in the near future to upgrade the starting rotation, but with their recent injury setbacks, it does not look like they will be rejoining the team anytime soon. If the Athletics are still not happy with the performance of their starting pitchers come June or July, they will definitely be completing some trades and acquisitions before the trade deadline.

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