Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Rankings – 4/18/23 Depth Chart

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

• There were just 11 games across Monday’s slate of baseball after two postponements due to weather (CLE at DET, PHI at CWS) added to a scheduled day off for four teams (NYY, MIN, WSN, BAL).
• The Tigers will play a doubleheader against Cleveland, as will the Phillies against the White Sox. Look for extra save opportunities from the setup crew for both those matchups.
• The Dodgers optioned bulk reliever Andre Jackson to Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers and recalled veteran lefty Justin Bruihl. Phil Bickford is likely to pitch in bulk relief initially.
• Dennis Santana was designated for assignment from the New York Mets bullpen. Edwin Uceta will take over multi-innings relief in the short term.

 

LAA 5 – BOS 4
SV: Carlos Estévez (2)

• In a game delayed several times by the inclement weather, both teams had to pivot to the bullpen in relief of their starters. The Angels used five relievers despite a useful three and a third innings from longman Tucker Davidson. Matt Moore and José Quijada threw scoreless frames before Carlos Estévez made things interesting in the ninth. Estevez allowed a hit and a walk before giving up an RBI single to Rafael Devers. However, he worked his way out of the mess and notched his second save as an Angel.
• After Brayan Bello returned and got knocked around some in the rain, Kutter Crawford stepped up to the mound and delivered six innings of one-hit pitching – he was truly excellent.

 

SFG 3 – MIA 4
SV: A.J. Puk (2)

• Logan Webb had his start ruined by a pinch-hit homer from Jorge Soler in the bottom of the seventh inning. Soler took advantage of a tiring Webb with a two-run shot to give the Marlins the lead heading into the late innings. Scott Alexander was impressive in relief and the truth is he should have been in the game a bit sooner.
• It wasn’t convincing once again but A.J. Puk is clinging onto the closer role for his new club. Puk allowed Joey Bart to reach base on a leadoff hit and he then moved into scoring position thanks to a LaMonte Wade Jr. sacrifice bunt. Puk answered back with a groundout and a flyout to get out of the jam. The former A’s lefty is 1-0 with two saves across seven impressive frames. Dylan Floro was perfect in the eighth to set Puk up.

 

ARI 6 – STL 3
SV: Andrew Chafin (3)

• The no-nonsense loveable arrogance of Andrew Chafin was on show in full force to stymie the Cardinals and preserve the Diamondbacks’ surprising place atop the NL West. Chafin disposed of Nolan Arenado before striking out Dylan Carlson and Tyler O’Neill to conclude a dominant performance. The big lefty is enjoying the spotlight in the desert ahead of some young arms. Recently acquired Jorge Ruiz looked very shaky in the eighth, hitting Tommy Edman before giving up a two-run bomb to Alex Burleson.
• The Cardinals’ poor start to the season continued as Jack Flaherty was punished as he tired in the seventh inning. Giving up a home run, a double, and a walk to start the inning, the returning starter was lifted for Andre Pallante, who immediately walked Corbin Carroll before giving up a grand slam to Pavin Smith. Disaster! Génesis Cabrera pitched two scoreless innings to finish out the contest.

 

ATL 2 – SDP 0
SV: A.J. Minter (4)

• Is this the best bullpen in baseball? It’s a legitimate early contender for sure. Dylan Lee fired two scoreless innings in relief of the returning Max Fried – Lee allowed just one hit and struck out four of the seven batters he faces. The ageless Jesse Chavez notched his sixth hold of the season prior to A.J. Minter overpowering the Padres in the ninth for his fourth save. Elite!
• This was a tight contest throughout and Ryan Weathers recorded a well-deserved quality start for his impressive outing. Brent Honeywell Jr. followed and allowed just one hit, as did Reiss Knehr, who struck out two and didn’t allow a hit through two innings. San Diego will have their big arms for late innings duties for the rest of the series.

 

NYM 8 – LAD 6
SV: Adam Ottavino (2)

• Who needs Edwin Diaz? The Mets rolled over the Dodgers to stretch to a five-game winning streak that includes series wins over the Padres and the A’s. Adam Ottavino retired all three batters he faced in the ninth in a solid showing for his second save of the season. Previously, Brooks Raley pitched around some trouble in the eighth before Drew Smith struck out Miguel Vargas to end the Dodgers threat.
• Once again Alex Vesia was pounded to the tune of three runs on three hits which also included an intentional walk. Vesia got the last out in the sixth before coming back out in the seventh, however, the Mets jumped on him with three straight singles to load the bases. Phil Bickford replaced him and was called for a balk, allowing the tying run to score. The Mets added two more runs on a sacrifice fly and a Pete Alonso single before Bickford walked two to load the bases. Newly recalled Justin Bruihl struck out the debuting Brett Baty to keep the Dodgers in with a chance.

 

MIL 7 – SEA 3

• Brewers fans will be happy with the win but worried about the fact starter Corbin Burnes had to leave the game in the sixth with a sore pectoral muscle. A flurry of middle relievers got the job done across three and a third innings as the Brewers held off a talented Mariners lineup. Only Matt Bush gave up a run in a nice win for the Brew Crew.
• The Mariners went down early and never recovered in this one – Penn Murfee giving up two runs in relief of Chris Flexen. Diego Castillo also walked two and gave up a hit in a worrying showing in which his command looked all over the place.

 

TEX 4 – KCR 0

• Despite a non-save situation for the Rangers, who lost Jacob deGrom to wrist soreness after four dominant innings, José Leclerc was employed in the ninth inning with a man on base and the middle of the order due up. Leclerc induced two flyouts to center fielder to end the contest. Dane Dunning picked up the win in relief of deGrom – the former White Sox young gun was brilliant through four and a third innings allowing just one walk and one hit.
• Jordan Lyles delivered eight innings of good starting pitching, improving as he went along. Unfortunately, a first-inning three-run bomb from Josh Jung did the majority of the damage for Lyles and the Royals.

 

Best of the rest!

• A seven-run first inning off Kevin Gausman powered the Astros to a 9-3 win against the Blue Jays. Both bullpens combined for 13 strikeouts across the last three innings.
• The Cubs made light work of a terrible A’s pitching attack, routing Oakland 10-1 in the first game of their road trip. Adrián Martínez coughed up four runs in multiple innings of relief of a pounded Kyle Muller. Brandon Hughes and Jordan Merryweather fired much-needed scoreless innings as another positive for the Cubs.
• Kyle Freeland and Ty Blach were hit hard by the Pirates as the Rockies lost 14-3 to Pittsburgh. Will Crowe gave up another couple of runs in back-to-back rough outings but Jose Hernandez stopped the bleeding as the Pirates romped home.
• Yes, you are reading this right – the Reds demolished the Rays 8-1 in a one-sided contest from the off. Kevin Kelly and Jalen Beeks gave up four runs in the first four frames to hand the Reds the advantage. Hunter Greene lasted only three innings before being forced from the game after taking a comeback pitch flush on the right leg. Ian Gibault picked up the win for the Reds with Jimmy Herget firing two scoreless innings to finish up the contest.

 

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