Chase Burns Looks Sharp In Relief Heading Into The Postseason
Thanks in part to the Mets’ stunning collapse, the 83-win Reds now face the Dodgers in the NL wild card hoping to win a postseason series for the first time in 20 years. If they choose to use him, manager Terry Francona looks to have quite an intriguing option out of the bullpen as they try to do that. Righthander Chase Burns struck out four batters over 1.2 innings on Sunday, averaging 99.4 mph on his fastball and getting four whiffs on six swings with his low-90s slider. It was Burns’ second consecutive scoreless outing as he settles into the bullpen, where he’s pitched since returning in early September from a right flexor strain. Cincinnati has used him cautiously, but it’s not hard to see them leaning on his dynamic fastball-slider combination in a key moment if needed.
