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!
Transaction and Schedule Notes
- We had 15 games across Tuesday’s slate of baseball with all 30 teams in action.
- Today sees 11 games with eight teams scheduled with a rest day – MIL, CLE, COL, HOU, TOR, CIN, ARI, and BOS.
- The buoyant Pittsburgh Pirates placed bulk reliever Wil Crowe on the 15-day IL with right shoulder discomfort. Cody Bolton was called up as a replacement.
- In somewhat of a surprise, promising young Padres lefty Ryan Weathers was optioned to Triple-A despite pitching well in both spot starts and in relief. There are said to be concerns over his velocity after his recent outings. Tom Cosgrove was called up as a replacement.
Yesterday’s Performances
COL 1 – CLE 4
SV: Emmanuel Clase (8)
- Daniel Bard was brought in to pitch in the sixth inning debunking any myths that he will immediately assume the closer role for the Rockies. Bard has reduced velocity but he went one and a third scoreless and is still yet to give up a run since rejoining the bullpen. Save opportunities may be closer than we say but it’s hard to predict.
- Despite not being the dominant force we saw in 2022, Emmanuel Clase has not allowed a run in six straight relief appearances. Issues with both command and velocity have been noticeable but yesterday the premium fantasy closer notched his eighth save of the season. Trevor Stephan pitched the eighth inning with James Karinchak handling the day before’s work.
KC 0 – ARI 2
SV: Andrew Chafin (4)
- Swingman Ryan Yarborough lasted just four innings which meant Amir Garrett, Josh Staumont, Josh Taylor, and Jose Cuas were all needed in a tight game to preserve the opportunity for the Royals to get back into the contest.
- “The Sheriff” Andrew Chafin made things interesting against the Royals in the ninth but still managed to close this one out for the impeccable Zac Gallen, who struck out a season-high 12 batters in a sparkling showing for the D-backs. Chafin is now the undoubted man in the ninth. He has a win and a save with five strikeouts in his last two showings. Scott McGough was asked to get the final two outs of the seventh with Miguel Castro setting up Chafin in the eighth. I am not reading anything into that, more so the situation.
HOU 1 – TB 0
SV: Ryan Pressly (2)
- Ryan Pressly needed just 10 pitches (eight for strikes) to dispose of the Rays in the ninth, recording just his second save of the season in as many attempts. Pressly hasn’t enjoyed a heap of opportunities but those he’s had, have been dominant displays. He did need an excellent catch from Jeremy Peña to prevent a hit. Hector Neris pitched a perfect eighth despite Bryan Abreu, who recorded two saves last week, being rested and available. The Astros have the luxury of managing three excellent closing options.
- Yet again, Josh Fleming was the standout in long relief for opener Calvin Faucher. Fleming struck out two and allowed just one walk across six excellent innings. He will be a must-flex option to vulture wins in relief for the majority of the season.
SEA 5 – PHI 6
SV: José Alvarado (4)
- Justin Topa did not record an out in the eighth before departing after allowing four hits and two runs to take the loss. Topa gave up four straight singles against the heart of the Phillies lineup before being pulled for Penn Murfee who stopped the carnage to deny any further runs.
- An impassioned José Alvarado was called upon in a big spot to save this one for the Phillies and he did not disappoint with two strikeouts, allowing just one hit. Alvarado now has four saves in his last five games and is the arm to roster for the Phillies. Craig Kimbrel stuck out two in the eighth as did Seranthony Domínguez in the seventh.
WSN 4 – NYM 1
SV: Kyle Finnegan (5)
- The enigmatic Kyle Finnegan is keeping a tight reign on the closer role despite heavy pressure from Hunter Harvey, who struck out three across one and two third innings with a performance that really caught the eye. Finnegan was equally as impressive, however, striking out youngsters Brett Baty and Francisco Álvarez to claim his fifth save of the year. Finnegan is still sitting with a 7.56 ERA after a few shaky innings at the start of the year but he hasn’t put a foot wrong recently.
- The Mets rolled out Adam Ottavino in the eighth and closer David Robertson in the ninth. Ottavino gave up a run and walked a batter but struck out two. Robertson is still the favorite for save opportunities.
MIA 4 – ATL 6
SV: A.J. Minter (5)
- The Marlins will be disappointed in letting this game slip away after giving up four runs in the eighth inning – Dylan Floro having his first nightmare outing of the year. Floro gave up a homer to Matt Olson before allowing another three hits to hand Atlanta the advantage.
- After two awful outings in which he blew saves and took the losses, A.J. Minter bounced back with a 10-pitch clean ninth inning to keep the Marlins at bay and record his team’s 17th win of the season. With Raisel Iglesias still out, Minter is a solid play for saves for fantasy managers for the foreseeable future. Unheralded Michael Tonkin pitched an excellent two and two-thirds innings in relief of the impressive Bryce Elder.
SD 5 – CHC 3
SV: Josh Hader (6)
- Josh Hader has now made 16 appearances at Wrigley Field and he has yet to concede a run – but he came very close in this one. Called on to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning, the closer started off shaky, allowing one hit and one walk before working out of the jam to escape with his sixth save of the season. Nick Martinez was brilliant in three innings of relief of Michael Wacha. Martinez will likely piggyback regularly with Wacha and should be seen as a good streaming option for wins.
- The Cubs used Brad Boxberger in the eighth which seems to suggest Michael Fulmer’s role is safe for now. It hasn’t been pretty at the back of the Cubs’ bullpen recently, however. Mark Leiter Jr. continues to pitch well and could be a sneaky add in the near future if both Boxberger and Fulmer remain uninspiring.
STL 3 – SFG 7
SV: Camilo Doval (3)
- After the Ryan Helsley debacle the other night, the Cardinals’ bullpen once again let a game slip by allowing two runs in both the seventh and eighth innings – a combination of Jordan Hicks, Zach Thompson, and Chris Stratton made error after error to throw another game away. There are very few positives in St. Louis right now that’s for sure.
- The Giants punished the Cardinals’ bullpen with two runs in both the seventh and eighth innings. After Sean Hjelle allowed a hit, two walks, and a run with just one out, closer Camilo Doval was asked to get the final two outs for a much-needed fantasy save. Doval has probably been the disappointment of the season so far in the closer rankings but recent signs are more optimistic. It helps that there isn’t a great deal of confidence in the arms behind him in the pecking order.
Best of the rest
- Reds arm Lucas Sims blew the save against the Rangers but came away with the win after Nick Senzel’s towering two-run shot to walk it off for Cincinnati in the bottom of the ninth. Alexis Díaz had pitched two nights in a row and so he was unavailable. Luckily, the Reds escaped with the win.
- For the Rangers, Jonathan Hernández allowed two runs on two hits and did not record an out, picking up his first loss of the season. Nick Senzel did the damage against Texas with both closer José Leclerc and setup man Will Smith fresh and available out of their bullpen. A strange situation to monitor in Arlington.
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)