The Reds have spent plenty of this season taking heat for a bullpen that hasn’t always held up its end. But amid all that noise, Brock Burke has been one of the quieter bright spots, and his work has been hard to miss if you’ve been paying attention.
Burke spoke after pitching in his second straight game on Wednesday, and he didn’t dress it up. “When you’re a little tired, I feel a little better.
I’m not thinking about mechanics or whatever," said Burke. "I’m grinding my way through it to get the ball to the right spot."
That kind of answer tells you a lot about why the Reds keep going back to him. He’s not making excuses, and he’s not backing away from the work. He’s just taking the ball and trying to get outs.
The numbers back up the trust. After Wednesday, Burke was tied for the second-most appearances by any pitcher with 51. Even more notable, the left-hander has allowed just one run over his last nine outings.
Cincinnati has already picked up its second series win since the regular season resumed after the MLB All-Star Break, and that came after beating the Colorado Rockies and, for the first time ever, winning a series against the Seattle Mariners as the visiting club. The Reds have shown some fight coming out of the break, even if the bigger picture still feels unsettled.
That uncertainty is part of why Burke stands out. In a season that may not leave a lasting mark, he’s been one of the players doing the daily work without much fuss. With the bullpen drawing criticism all year, Terry Francona has leaned on Burke often, and it’s easy to see why.
Now the Reds get an off day before opening a series with the St. Louis Cardinals. If anyone on the roster has earned a breather, it’s probably Burke.
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