This Is What Terry Francona Believes Is Behind Guardians' Bullpen Struggles

The Cleveland Guardians' bullpen has now blown late leads in two consecutive games to the New York Mets.

That's now two straight games against the New York Mets where the Cleveland Guardians took a late lead, only to have it robbed by a bullpen meltdown.

On Friday night, Cleveland blew a five-run lead, tied it up with a Gabriel Arias two-run home run, and then Emmanuel Clase came into the game in extra innings and blew the lead in the tenth.

Then in-game one of Sunday's doubleheader, the Guardians fought tooth and nail to score four runs taking the lead thanks to a Jose Ramirez home run in the eighth. However, Trevor Stephan came into the game and gave up a two-run home run to Starling Marte who ended up being the difference-maker in the game.

Cleveland had one of the best bullpens, if not the best, in baseball towards the end of last season. It's largely the same group this year which is why these struggles are so shocking.

Terry Francona believes this could be one of the reasons why the bullpen has struggled:

"I think it's just inconsistency. I think anytime you're inconsistent anywhere something is going to find you, and that's what we've been right now."

Inconsistency is definitely part of the issue, but there are other worries with the bullpen as well. They've given up 22 home runs as a club and struck out just 155 batters which ranks in the bottom five of baseball.

Opposing teams are making contact with Cleveland relievers and making them pay for it. 

----

Read More:

Hunter Gaddis To Start For Guardians On Monday Against White Sox

Guardians To Call up Top Catching Prospect Bo Naylor

Triston McKenzie Looks Sharp In First Rehab Start

Guardians-Mets Updated Doubleheader Pitching Matchups

Guardians Give Former Cleveland Pitcher Trouble In First Showdown Since Trade

Be sure to stay locked into Cleveland Baseball Insider all the time:

SUBSCRIBE to the CBI YouTube channel

Follow Cleveland Baseball Insider on Twitter: @CBI_FanNation

Photo Credit © Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports