Ask Detroit Tigers fans about their least favorite memory of the past few years and the response you’ll get will probably include the words “bullpen” and either “meltdown” or “fiasco”. The Tigers were robbed of a shot at World Series glory when their bullpen inexplicably failed them against the Red Sox in the 2013 ALCS. Last season brought similar, bullpen-fueled disappointment, this time coming against the Baltimore Orioles in the ALDS.

That’s why, despite struggles in other areas, the emergence of the Tigers’ bullpen as a definite team strength has been such a pleasure to see. Not to mention the fact that the current incarnation of the bullpen has dissociated itself with common adjectives “stressful situation” and “experience”.

The bullpen has improved across the board, but the turnaround can be attributed to one man—closer Joakim Soria.

Soria has been the long-lost solution that Detroit has been searching for. The former Royal has performed consistently in a way that Jose Valverde couldn’t (over the long run) and Joe Nathan never quite could.

While he has struggled some in non-save situations, Soria has been money when the game is on the line. The Tigers’ closer has only allowed two runs in save situations this year. Those two runs were split between two blown saves that serve as the only blemishes on Soria’s record in terms of finishing games.

The closer’s ERA (2.56) is where it is thanks to a string of four games in late June. Over the four contests, Soria allowed seven hits, five runs (all earned) and four home runs in three innings. While those numbers look bad, it should be noted that a few of the appearances were simply to get Soria some work so he didn’t sit for too long. If anything, those non-save, blowout appearances are nothing but outliers.  

Soria’s strong season has rubbed off on the rest of Detroit’s bullpen. Blaine Hardy, Al Alburquerque and Joba Chamberlain all sport ERAs under 3.17, while Alex Wilson’s earned run average is a sparkling 1.49. Bruce Rondon hasn’t thrown much this year due to injury, but seems on his way to posting numbers somewhere in the neighborhood of his bullpen fellows. The young reliever has looked impressive so far, striking out five batters over three innings while allowing only one base runner.

After years of struggling in the department of relief pitching the Tigers have found their closer in Joakim Soria. Not only has the former Royal effected the rest of the bullpen, but he’s also given the team a consistently elite closer that has been missing in Motown for quite some time.  

All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.