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The Astros' Roberto Osuna and Indians' Brad Hand were both acquired in in-season trades to help fortify their teams' bullpens.
Photo: Houston Chronicle file and wire services

Relief pitching

The Astros had the majors' top bullpen ERA at 3.03 and shored things up significantly with trades for Roberto Osuna, who was 12-for-12 in save chances with a 0.88 WHIP and 1.99 ERA for Houston, and Ryan Pressly, who posted a 0.60 WHIP, 0.77 ERA and a K/9 ratio of 12.3 after he was acquired.

Tony Sipp (1.86 ERA) and Collin McHugh (1.99) also were stellar, and Lance McCullers Jr., who returned from a forearm strain in the season's last week, offers another intriguing weapon.

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The Indians' bullpen isn't what it was when they won the pennant in 2016, largely because Andrew Miller (2-4, 4.24 in an injury-plagued year) and Cody Allen (4-6, 4.70 with five blown saves in 32 chances and 11 home runs allowed) haven't matched their reputations.

Brad Hand (32 saves, 2.75 ERA combined with Cleveland and San Diego) provided a boost in a deadline deal, but control can sometimes be an issue with him.