Leading Off this Week: The Pen is Mightiest

The bullpen has become the focus of modern baseball. It's essentially a greenroom as they prepare to take center stage. Hours are spent analyzing the opposition, comparing notes and getting loose - which often extends beyond pitchers' muscles to their interactions with spectators. The bullpen is home not only to relievers, of course, but also to starters before game time, to backup catchers and to coaches who are a phone call away (not cell, not even cordless) from the brain trust in the dugout.

Miami Marlins in Bullpen

Dean Treanor of the Miami Marlins reviews charts with Dillon Peters and Nick Wittgren in the bullpen during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Marlins Park

Bullpen Coach Dean Treanor

Miami Marlins Dillon Peters warms up in the Bullpen

Miami Marlins

Miami Marlins Junichi Tazawa warms up in the Bullpen

Miami Marlins Tayron Guerrero

Miami Marlins Junichi Tazawa

Miami Marlins Tayron Guerrero

Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees

Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers

Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Kershaw warms up in the Bullpen

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Minnesota Twins

Miami Marlins Junichi Tazawa

Pittsburg Pirates vs. New York Mets

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Washington

Houston Astros vs. New York Yankees

New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves

New York Mets vs. Arizona Diamondbacks

Kansas City Royals at Milwaukee Brewers

Pittsburg Pirates vs. New York Mets

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

Kansas City Royals at Milwaukee Brewers

Pittsburg Pirates vs. New York Mets

Kansas City Royals at Milwaukee Brewers