And when it comes to KC and DET, these guys have been pretty lucky with injuries (lack thereof). As soon as inevitably a couple of key players drop there, they'll fade again. Detroit has only Urshela missing, KC a couple of arms that have been down since last year, while Guards...
Bieber, Williams, Stephan, Karinchak, Hentges, Morgan...thats half their pitching staff on the 26 roster down. Plus Espino, Cantillo, other 40 roster top prospects like DeLauter, Valera, Martinez...and even good depth hit with Z. Kent and Enright out. It's been blow after blow.
A quarter of our 40 roster is/was injured, that's crazy. Cross the equivalent of those off the Tigers and Royals roster and they'd suck
I would point out that although we have indeed had bullpen injuries, the performances of the guys who replaced Stephan, Karinchak, and Hentges have been very good. In fact, I think we upgraded.
Stephan had a 4.06 ERA last year and a 1.30 WHIP. I consider that below average for a relief pitcher. Same with Karinchak; he had a 4.15 ERA. Hentges was good except for a couple of really bad outings, but Herrin is pitching better this year than Sam did last year.
The Guardians' bullpen is tied for the major leage lead in WAR. They're first in FIP and tied for third in saves. I can't say that the bullpen injuries have hurt the team. If anything they made the bullpen better. Last year the bullpen FIP was 4.02; this year it's 2.69.
Obviously Bieber and Williams have been huge losses. That's 40% of our starts going down. We've had no injuries to position players. I heard the other day that the Guardians are the only team left that has the same position players they had on Opening Day.
As for the injuries to Cantillo, Espino, Martinez, and Delauter, those guys are in the minors so those injuries haven't affected the Guardians' record.
The Bieber injury was a massive hit because it's forcing us to trot Carrasco and his 6.89 ERA out there every fifth game.
Getting Hentges back will help a lot, IMO, because we'll have two lefties and they can alternate days, or even use both of them in the same game if it goes to extras and the opponent has a couple of badass left-handed hitters in the middle of their order.
Replacing Carrasco with Williams will be another big upgrade, if Williams can make it back this year.
If Bo and Freeman start hitting and Jose gets going - look out. This team has a lot of upside both in terms of pitching and hitting.