Kevin Kelly struck out the side in the Tampa Bay Rays' 2-1 walk-off win over the Athletics, providing a much-needed bullpen boost. With Tyler Wells injured and postseason roster decisions looming, Kelly's bounce-back could be crucial to Tampa Bay's October plans.
The Tampa Bay Rays have spent the last few weeks trying to figure out what their bullpen is going to look like when the postseason begins.
And after Tuesday night, Kevin Kelly might have given them one less thing to worry about.
Kelly was outstanding in Tampa Bay's 2-1 walk-off victory over the Athletics, striking out the side in his first appearance since a difficult outing against the Atlanta Braves.
That was exactly what the Rays needed to see from him as he needs to be relied on as one of the main set-up men for Bryan Baker once the playoffs arrive.
Kelly had allowed three earned runs against Atlanta before getting several days off and sitting out the entire Houston series.
But he looked considerably different when he returned Tuesday.
His two-seam fastball was working, his changeup was effective, and he gave Tampa Bay a scoreless inning in a game where the offense couldn't get much going.
That might not sound like a major development, but look at what's happening with the rest of this bullpen.
Tyler Wells, Manny Rodriguez, and Garrett Cleavinger were all unavailble for different reasons Tuesday, leaving Tampa Bay with some important questions about its relief pitching heading into October.
The main one is Wells, who was placed on 15-day injured list due to tightness in his right forearm right before the Athletics series began and his status on if he will be available for the begining of the postseason is still up in the air.
We've already seen the Rays give opportunities to Ty Johnson and Brody Hopkins, two young pitchers with impressive stuff who are trying to prove they can help this team in the postseason.
Hopkins reached 101.5 mph in his Major League debut Sunday, but he also walked his first batter on four pitches and allowed a two-run home run.
Johnson got another opportunity Tuesday and allowed the Athletics' only run on a wild pitch.
Neither pitcher has secured a postseason spot, and Tampa Bay still has plenty to figure out over its final 12 games.
That's why Kelly's performance was so important.
They need pitchers Kevin Cash can trust when the game is tied in the late innings, and Kelly helped provide that Tuesday, and Bryan Baker followed by keeping the Athletics off the scoreboard long enough for Junior Caminero to win it in the ninth.
The Rays have already secured their spot in October.
Now they need to figure out which pitchers can help them once they get there.
And if Kelly can build on what he showed Tuesday, that decision becomes considerably easier.
