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 only seven games across Major League Baseball on Thursday as many teams readied themselves for new series’ across the weekend. Only the Red Sox, Twins, Yankees, Angels, Pirates, Reds, Phillies, Rockies, Cubs, Dodgers, D-backs, Padres, Giants, and Mets featured in the action.
- There were only two save situations across the seven games, and both converted successfully.
- Sadly, the Padres had to transfer Robert Suarez to the 60-day IL to make room for the returning Fernando Tatis Jr. – Suarez was shut down at the start of the month with elbow soreness and will be out long term.
- The Dodgers could be without closer Evan Phillips for a few days as he was placed on the paternity list – recently optioned Andre Jackson was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma. Brusdar Graterol will handle the first save situation most likely.
Yesterday’s Performances
CIN 3 – PIT 4
SV: David Bednar (6)
- Luke Weaver gave up four runs in the opening inning and then settled into five excellent innings before Alex Young and Buck Farmer pitched scoreless frames to keep the Reds in with a chance.
- The Pirates, who knew? David Bednar notched his sixth save of the season to move just one behind Jordan Romano for the league lead as Pittsburgh held on to a one-run lead thanks to the closer’s perfect ninth frame. Bednar has allowed just one run across nine innings with 11 strikeouts. Upstart Colin Holderman, the “King of the Hold” recorded his eighth such stat of the season despite giving up two runs on three hits in a shaky frame that he barely escaped. Holderman allowed three straight singles and a wild pitch to bring the Reds within a run but a groundout and a strikeout of Tyler Stephenson meant he preserved the lead, but only just.
SDP 7 – ARI 5
SV: Josh Hader (6)
- The Padres bullpen allowed just two hits across five scoreless frames in relief of Michael Wacha, who had a rough 10-hit outing through four innings. Brent Honeywell Jr. moved to 2-0 with a tidied couple of innings, and he should be considered for ins in relief on the back of Wacha or Snell going forward. Bob Melvin then rolled out his preferred late-innings lineup, with “every day” Tim Hill and the impressive Steven Wilson setting up Josh Hader for a dominant save, his sixth of the year.
- The Diamondbacks bullpen has been excellent so far this season and one of the reasons for this has been Kyle Nelson, who went into the game with a 3-0 record, 1.13 ERA with 12 Ks and 3 walks. However, it unraveled quickly after Nelson allowed two baserunners (one on a Nick Ahmed errant throw) before Trent Grisham hit a two-run double to give San Diego the advantage. Scott McGough was brought in to clean up the mess and he stayed in the game to add a clean eighth inning to his slate.
Best of the rest!
- Closer Michael Fulmer was hit hard to the tune of four runs on three hits and a walk in the Cubs’ 6-2 defeat to the Dodgers. James Outman hit a grand slam in the top of the ninth to give the Dodgers an unassailable lead. Expect Brad Boxberger to take over the ninth inning in Chicago – the veteran pitched a clean eighth inning and looks like the better option for the Cubbies right now.
- The Rockies employed closer Pierce Johnson in the ninth inning despite a non-save situation in a 5-0 win over the Phillies. Justin Lawrence struck out four through two and a third innings to preserve the Rockies’ lead before Johnson entered. He earned two quick outs before allowing two baserunners with Trea Turner stepping to the plate – not ideal! Luckily, he struck him out to close the game.
- Tristan Beck gave up four runs with nine hits as the Giants lost 9-4 to the Mets. Starter Sean Manaea couldn’t get out of the fourth inning and gave up homers to Pete Alonso and Eduardo Escobar before Beck was asked to eat up some innings. Surprisingly, the Giants worked back into a 6-4 game and Beck should have been pulled with Alonso once again doing the damage.
- The Angels pitching staff continues to struggle, giving up 11 walks, nine hits, and nine runs in a heavy defeat to the Yankees. Jimmy Herget and Aaron Loup allowed the Yankees to pile the runs on late. Yuck!
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