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
- We had 28 MLB teams in action on Tuesday. Both the Chicago White Sox & San Fransisco Giants had the night off. There were 5 games that yielded saves. We also had 3 games that turned into blowouts of seven runs or more.
- The Miami Marlins designated reliever Jeff Lindgren for assignment and called up reliever Daniel Castano.
- The New York Mets placed Tommy Hunter on the 15-Day IL and called up reliever Denyi Reyes.
Yesterday’s Performances
ARI 8 – SDP 6
- First out of the pen for the Diamondbacks was Kevin Ginkel in the 7th inning. Brought in while trailing by one, Ginkel fired a clean inning with 1 strikeout and ended up securing a Win for his efforts.
- After claiming their first lead in the 8th, Arizona taped Drey Jameson to close out the game with a two-inning Save. The 25-year-old got the job done despite a bit of a rocky outing that included giving up a solo shot to Trent Grisham.
- The multi-inning usage for Jameson is interesting especially to secure a Save. However, the other members of the Snakes closer carousel had all pitched two straight games—so this outing can’t really be seen as offering any sort of long-term clarity.
- For the Padres, setup man Luis Garcia caught a Blown Save and the Loss after giving up 4 ER. To stop the bleeding, San Diego turned to former top prospect Brent Honeywell Jr. who logged 1.2 IP with 1 strikeout. This was just after Honeywell registered a blown save the night before.
CHC 12 – CIN 5
- Trailing 3-2 in the 6th, Chicago looked to Adbert Alzolay to keep the game close. The converted starter delivered with 2.2 IP, 5K, 2ER and the eventual Win. Alzolay has already accumulated 8 strikeouts through two relief appearances this season while boasting a 36% CSW—this might return value in the right league context.
- Buck Farmer was unable to get a single out for the Reds in the 7th which ultimately lead to a 6-run frame.
MIN 0 – MIA 1
- The Miami pen had the night off as reigning Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara threw the league’s first complete game of the young season—it being of the shutout variety.
- Behind a strong outing by Kenta Maeda, Emilio Pagán (2IP, 2K, 0 ER) and Jovani Moran (1IP, 1K, 0 ER) kept the game close. Neither looks to factor into the holds/saves picture this year.
TBR 10 – WAS 6
- Closer Kyle Finnegan absolutely imploded in the 9th inning giving up 3 home runs and allowing 5 ER. His velocity was slightly down in this one—as were his spin rates. On a positive note for the Nats, Erasmo Ramírez, Carl Edwards Jr., and Hunter Harvey all picked up their second holds of the season.
- After a difficult start from Josh Fleming, the Rays showcased their bullpen depth with Jalen Beeks and Rule 5 pick Kevin Kelly each going 2IP. Ryan Thompson followed with a clean inning putting himself in line for the Win while presumed closer Pete Fairbanks came in to maintain their 4-run lead in the 9th.
PHI 4 – NYY 1
- Searching for their first win of the season, the Phillies brought in their newly acquired reliever Craig Kimbrel to shut the door. Unfortunately, the door was a bit squeaky. Kimbrel made things interesting by giving up a solo homer to D.J. LeMahieu and allowing two more baserunners before securing the victory. Of note, José Alvarado pitched the 6th with the lead and struck out the side.
- For the Yankees, Michael King pitched 1.1IP allowing 4 hits and striking out one. King’s velocity on his fastball was down nearly 3 mph in this one after having shown diminished velocity in his first outing as well. It is still early, but this is worrisome.
PIT 4 – BOS 1
- David Bednar pitched a clean 9th inning with 1 strikeout to secure his third save of the year. Of particular note is Colin Holderman who pitched the 8th to secure his third hold of the season. It looks like Holderman is quickly becoming the favorite bridge to Bednar—might be a worthwhile scoop in holds leagues.
- For Boston, long reliever Josh Winckowski threw 51 pitches going 3IP with 3K.
TOR 4 – KCR 1
- Jordan Romano is very good. He secured his second save pitching a clean 9th with one strikeout. Entering the game in the 7th, Tim Mayza struck out 4 while pitching 1.1 IP and earning his first hold of the year.
- For Kansas City, Aroldis Chapman pitched the top of the 9th to keep the game close and seemed his old self. His velocity looks as good as it’s ever been right now and might be a priority add in holds leagues—if he’s still available.
NYM 0 – MIL 9
- The Mets brought in Brooks Raley in the 7th while down by five to ostensibly get in some work. Unfortunately, he gave up back-to-back homers to Brian Anderson and Garret Mitchell. Hopefully, this was just a blip as Raley is usually considered in the late-inning / high-leverage mix for New York.
- Peter Strzelecki pitched the 7th for the Brew Crew in what would have been a hold situation without the aforementioned Brooks Raley blow-up. Picking up where he left off late last season, it seems like Strzelecki might have some sneaky value in deeper formats that reward holds.
ATL 4 – STL 1
- A.J. Minter left no doubt for Braves fans as he secured his first save of the season needing only 11 pitchers to finish off the Cards. Four pitchers logged holds including Jesse Chavez, Joe Jiménez, Dylan Lee, and Kirby Yates.
- Notably, for the Cardinals, Giovanny Gallegos pitched for the first time this season after missing time initially due to an injury. Striking out 2 while maintaining good velocities on his pitches, Gallegos might still be in the mix for some save chances this year.
BAL 7 – TEX 2
- Having not pitched since Saturday, setup man Cionel Pérez worked the 8th/9th with the game firmly in hand pitching 1.1IP and striking out 2.
- After Andrew Heaney’s early exit in the 3rd inning, long man Dane Dunning logged 4 IP without giving up a run. Middle reliever Taylor Hearn also impressed with his bulk work striking out 3 in 2.1IP.
DET 6 – HOU 3
- For Detroit, Jason Foley and Chasen Shreve both picked up their first holds of the year. Trey Wingenter closed out the 9th in a non-save situation.
- Frambler Valdez’s gem was tarnished in the 8th when Ryne Stanek gave up a 2-run moonshot to Spencer Torkelson.
CLE 3 – OAK 4
- Despite each allowing some base running activity, both Trevor Stephan and Enyel De Los Santos kept the game tied and the Guardians alive. Unfortunately, James Karinchak had other plans. Namely, to allow a Tony Kemp walk-off single and catch an L.
- Trevor May pitched the top of the 9th in a tie game allowing no runs to score and picking up the Win in the process. Dany Jiménez was used in the 7th/8th and pitched 1.2 IP with 1K.
LAA 2 – SEA 11
- Despite being up by 11 runs, Seattle chose to call Paul Sewald’s number to pitch the 8th inning. Sewald was not sharp, allowing 3 hits, 1 BB, 3 ER, and 1 K in 1IP. I would not overreact to this performance.
- Long man Jaime Barría pitched 3.2 IP and logged 5 strikeouts. Unfortunately, this also came with 5 hits allowed (including 2 HRs) and 2 ER.
COL 2 – LAD 5
- Apparently in the driver’s seat to close during Danial Bard’s absence, Pierce Johnson was asked to pitch the 8th inning with the Rockies down 4. The upside, Johnson struck out 3 batters. The downside, he also allowed 2 hits, 1BB, and 1ER. The Dodgers are a tough assignment, so I wouldn’t be too concerned. Another arm to keep an eye on here is Justin Lawrence. He’s struck out 4 in his 2IP with a 50% CSW. Wildly small sample—but everything is this time of year!
- The Dodgers deployed their relieving core like so: Caleb Furguson in the 7th, Brusdar Graterol in the 8th, and Evan Phillips in the 9th. Well, actually, Phil Bickford started the 9th but proceeded to give up 2 runs and was promptly replaced by Phillips who then converted the save opportunity. Conspicuously absent from the mix was Alex Vesia who has looked shaky to begin the year.
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