Welcome back to the latest edition of our Reliever Ranks series! This will bring you up-to-date bullpen depth charts every morning for the day’s games and makes for an excellent tool for those looking to stream saves or wins. This series runs seven days a week, so check in every morning to get your daily bullpen fix!
Notes
Transaction and Schedule Notes
- The Blue Jays and the Tigers both had the day off yesterday and will be able to call on fresh bullpens today.
- The Miami Marlins placed reliable middle-innings reliever JT Chargois on the 15-day injured list with a worrying oblique strain. In a corresponding move, George Soriano was called up from Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
- The much-maligned Joe Kelly was sent to the 15-day IL by the Chicago White Sox with a groin strain. Former Angels closer Keynan Middleton was selected as his replacement.
- The Cleveland Guardians placed starter Aaron Civale on the 15-day injured list retroactively with a left oblique strain. Peyton Battenfield was called up from Triple-A affiliate Columbus Clippers as Civale’s replacement.
Yesterday’s Performances
CWS 4 – MIN 3
SV: Reynaldo López (2)
- A dominant performance from closer Reynaldo López ensured that the White Sox took an impressive win away from the Twins in a tightly contested battle in the AL Central. López struck out three of the four batters he faced to nail down his second save of the season. Any doubt about who holds the ninth inning with Liam Hendriks sidelined has been totally washed away.
- Both bullpens went head-to-head and kept the other scoreless from the sixth inning and Jovani Moran fired two scoreless frames in impressive fashion. Caleb Thielbar also threw a clean inning. The late innings arms will be fresh for today.
NYY 2 – CLE 3
SV: Emmanuel Clase (3)
- Domingo Germán lasted just three innings and walked five batters but somehow escaped with only two earned runs. Colton Brewer did an admirable job over two scoreless frames before the recently promoted Ian Hamilton gave up three walks and the run that won the Guardians the game – a sacrifice fly ball by Josh Naylor. Starting pitching continues to lean heavily on an overworked bullpen.
- After the Yankees knocked around Shane Bieber in the first inning, fans were expecting a big day. However, Bieber held the lineup to just two further hits through another six sparkling frames, allowing the Guardians back into the contest. After taking a one-run lead in the seventh, James Karinchak shook off a couple of poor outings to strike out Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton before Emmanuel Clase also struck out two to notch his third save.
BOS 0 – TB 1
SV: Pete Fairbanks (1)
- The Red Sox pushed the high-flying Rays to the limit but could not break their phenomenal win streak, which now stretches to 10 games. Swingman Josh Winckowski followed up an impressive opening week with another two scoreless frames but it wasn’t enough as veteran Chris Martin gave up a home run to Brandon Lowe, who gave the Rays the win.
- The Rays got two clean frames from Jalen Beeks as an opener before Josh Fleming struck out five in another four brilliant innings. Garrett Cleavinger and Colin Poche (who picked up the win) both went scoreless and Pete Fairbanks finally nailed down his first save of the season in his and the Rays’ first opportunity. This team can do no wrong right now.
CIN 4 – ATL 5 (10)
- Buck Farmer and Reiver Sanmartin gave up hits before closer Alexis Díaz pitched a clean ninth inning to take the game to extra innings. Derek Law was given the ball in extras and immediately gave up a walk-off homer to Sean Murphy with his first pitch to take the loss. Law now has a blown save and two losses in a week.
- A.J. Minter blew his first save of the season after entering the game in the ninth inning with a two-run lead, but that quickly went south after a leadoff single by Wil Myers was followed by an RBI triple to Stuart Fairchild. Rookie Spencer Steer then hit a game-tying RBI single. Minter got out of the jam and Dylan Lee was first up out of the pen. It could be that Atlanta is being careful with Joe Jiménez after he pitched yesterday but it could be Lee and not him who has the leverage after Minter. Lee gave up a single and a run but struck out Jake Fraley and forced a groundout by Tyler Stephenson to end the threat.
SEA 2 – CHC 3 (10)
- Paul Sewald pitched a clean bottom of the ninth after the Mariners drew level. After having a night off on Monday, Sewald was perfect but once again the popular Matt Brash failed to deliver the goods after giving up a single to Nico Hoerner in the bottom of the tenth to walk it off.
- Michael Fulmer blew his first save of the season on his second opportunity after Jarred Kelenic pinch hit and took him deep to bring the Mariners level. Despite walking two hitters in extra innings, Keegan Thompson earned the win by forcing outs from Ty France and Eugenio Suárez. The swingman is more akin to bulk relief wins but we’ll take this one.
WSN 6 – LAA 4
SV: Kyle Finnegan (2)
- The Nationals held faith in Kyle Finnegan after a rough first week and he rewarded them with a clean ninth inning to hold down his second save of the season. Carl Edwards Jr. was also perfect in the eighth. The Nationals have a couple of good options behind Finnegan including Hunter Harvey, who was once again impressive.
- Tucker Davidson gave up two runs on four hits through two relief innings after José Suarez was knocked around heavily. Jimmy Herget and Matt Moore stopped the bleeding but it was too late. The Angels still have pitching woes that may be too big to overcome.
MIL 0 – ARI 3
SV: Andrew Chafin (2)
- Bryse Wilson fired two scoreless innings and Javy Guerra also went scoreless in relief of Wade Miley. The Brewers couldn’t do anything with the bat against Zac Gallen’s masterclass.
- There could be a change atop the closer chart in Arizona as the Diamondbacks employed Scott McGough in the eighth and handed veteran Andrew Chafin the save opportunity in the ninth. McGough hasn’t quite seized the day with his initial opportunity, so it seems the Diamondbacks have officially turned to Chafin to handle the ninth. Chafin struck out the side and looked dominantly arrogant in doing so. You love to see it.
Best of the rest
- Cionel Pérez struck out two in the eighth inning before Félix Bautista struck out three of the four batters he faced in a non-save situation. The Orioles were taking no risks against the Athletics with a four-run lead and Bautista was on fire as per usual.
- The Marlins had a miserable time in Philly, shipping 15 runs after star starter Sandy Alcantara was pummelled all over the park. Recently recalled Devin Smeltzer was equally punished but ate up four innings in bulk relief.
- Despite the five-run lead, the Mets rolled out their top-tier relievers to preserve a win against a dangerous Padres lineup. David Robertson struck out two and Adam Ottavino accounted for Matt Carpenter, Jake Cronenworth, and Ha-Seong Kim to end the contest.
- Brent Suter and Justin Lawrence both pitched two innings in relief of Germán Márquez to keep the Cardinals at bay as they won out 7-4.
Bullpen Depth Charts
Also, if you’re looking for a detailed list or ranking of RPs, check out Rick Graham’s weekly pieces:
The Hold Up: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday
Closing Time: Ranking the Top 30 Closers
Top 100 Relievers for Save+Hold Leagues
(Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)