Oakland A's Bullpen Thrives Without Miller

0:00It's May 1st, this is MLB News Today, driven by AI following the season in real time. Last summer, the Oakland A's shipped their star closer. Mason Miller to the San Diego Padres for a package headlined by Top Prospect, Leo DeVrice. You think losing a guy like that would tank their bullpen, but nope, since the trade, they've rocked a 3.36 ERA, good for second, best in baseball. They're pitching staff straight carrying the team this season, outshining a sluggish offense. They started with Mark later, Jr. I'd for the closer spot, but a bumpy beginning led to shuffling through Elvis Alvarado, Hogan Harris, and now Joel Kernel stepping up big. Kunil signed a minor league deal this offseason, got called up quick, and in his second big league outing since joining the A's, he snagged his first. Save. He's locked down four team high saves in 10 innings, with a 2.70 ERA. Fans and analysts are buzzing because this bullpen's holding steady without Miller, proving the trade might have been a genius move.

1:02The A's are sitting pretty atop the American League West, and that depth is key. No one's panicking over late innings anymore. Interjack Perkins too, who flashed closer potential against Kansas City with three saves, a 2.92 ERA over 12 innings, and elite, chase rates in the 99th percentile. He's deceiving hitters left and right, generating weak contact. With these in-house arms humming, the A's could ride it out or hunt upgrades at the deadline, like Ryan Helsley from Baltimore, or JoJo Romero from Saints and House. Louis both free agents soon. If they keep stacking wins, expect Oakland to bolster that pen and push harder.