A bullpen game in baseball is a strategy where the game is started by a relief pitcher rather than a traditional starting pitcher. This relief pitcher is not expected to pitch for many innings like a regular starter but usually for a shorter duration—often an inning or two. After this initial reliever, several other pitchers are then used throughout the game, each pitching for shorter periods. This approach is different from a spot start by a relief pitcher, who would be expected to pitch multiple innings like a regular starter. The bullpen game involves a sequence of relief pitchers working together to cover the entire game. It's often used when a team doesn't have a traditional starter available or wants to conserve the arms of its starting pitchers. It can also be a tactical move to use the team's bullpen strength to the fullest or manage injuries among starting pitchers. The first pitcher in a bullpen game is sometimes called an "opener," responsible for starting the game but usually lasting only a short time. Following pitchers, including setup men and closers, handle different innings or parts of the game. This style gained popularity in the 2010s and has been used by teams like the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays, especially when injuries impacted their starting rotation. However, it can put extra stress on the bullpen because more pitchers are used per game than usual. In summary, a bullpen game features multiple relief pitchers starting and working through the game rather than relying on one pitcher to start and pitch many innings.