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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Rankings – 4/9/24 Depth Chart

Breakdowns of key bullpen usage from yesterday's slate of games.

Benjamin Haller
Reliever Ranks 4/9/2024

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

 

  • 26 teams were in action on another busy Monday slate of games across Major League Baseball. Teams with scheduled days off included the Athletics, Red Sox, Orioles, and Royals. All those bullpens will be fully rested for today.
  • Ben Brown could be used as a follower for the Cubs today in their game against the Padres. This is by no means a slam dunk option for a win but it’s worth the punt at this early stage of the season.
  • The Angels lost two pieces of their bullpen with Chase Silseth and Guillo Zuñiga both hitting the injured list. Veterans Hunter Strickland and Carson Fulmer were called up as replacements. Not much inspiration there. Zach Plesac was also designated for assignment in Anaheim.
  • Tejay Antone was also placed on the 15-day IL with elbow inflammation. The Reds called up Carson Speirs from Louisville as Antone’s replacement.
  • The White Sox lost the reliable John Brebbia to the IL after a right calf strain, and swingman Jared Shuster was called up in his place for bulk relief duties.

 

Yesterday’s Performances

CWS 0 – CLE 4

  • The White Sox employed the bullpen to handle this contest and Tanner Banks struck out five across two and a third innings before an error and two hits forced him from the contest. Veteran Bryan Shaw gave up a two-run homer to the first batter he faced, José Ramírez before former Atlanta starter Jared Shuster pitched three scoreless to eat up some innings with a four-run deficit.
  • Despite a heavy workload late last week and at the weekend, Emmanuel Clase pitched in a non-save situation, striking out two of the three batters he faced to tidy up the win. Hunter Gaddis and impressive young rookie Cade Smith both fired scoreless innings in support of the closer.

 

DET 4 – PIT 7

HD: Aroldis Chapman (4)

  • After starter Reese Olson was knocked around, bulk reliever Joey Wentz was called upon to throw two shutout innings to keep the Tigers within reach. The promising Tyler Holton gave up a solo homer to Bryan Reynolds so he remains down the pecking order for high leverage duties.
  • Comfortably throwing 101 mph with nasty stuff, Aroldis Chapman continued his electric start to 2024 by striking out both the hitters he faced to end the Tigers threat in the eighth inning. Entering with the bases loaded and only one out, Chapman was dominant and he flashed his elite velocity to pick up his fourth hold of the season. David Bednar is firmly entrenched as the closer but Chapman offers value in SV+H leagues and for strikeouts.

 

MIL 8 – CIN 10

HD: Justin Wilson (2), Lucas Sims (2), Fernando Cruz (3)

SV: Alexis Díaz (2)

  • Key relievers Joel Payamps and Bryse Wilson both bounced back from rough outings to record clean innings sandwich between a whole lot of terrible from the Brewers bullpen. Bryan Hudson, however, allowed two hits and a walk including an inside-the-park home run to Elly De La Cruz.
  • Justin Wilson stifled the Brewers’ attempted comeback in the sixth inning when he entered the ballgame with two men on holding a three-run lead. He forced Oliver Dunn to fly out but came back out for the seventh inning and gave up a double and then a home run to Christian Yelich. He registered a hold despite the rocky outing thanks to Lucas Sims, Fernando Cruz, and closer Alexis Díaz, each of whom threw scoreless frames to earn the Reds a big win. After being ahead 8-0, the back of the Reds bullpen was probably shifting mindset to a day off but the Brewers made things interesting and forced them into action. They were superb.

 

SEA 2 – TOR 5

  • Tyson Miller pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Luis Castillo but it wasn’t enough for the Mariners who couldn’t generate enough offense against a dominant José Berríos. Brett de Geus gave up a run on two hits and was also charged with a balk and a hit-by-pitch in a rough showing.
  • Yimi García and Chad Green both gave up solo homers but held the Mariners in check. García saw J.P. Crawford take him deep in the eighth inning while Cal Raleigh made things interesting in the top of the ninth off Green.

 

NYM 8 – ATL 7

W: Jake Diekman (1-0)

L: Pierce Johnson (1)

HD: Drew Smith (2)

SV: Jorge López (1)

BS: A.J. Minter (1)

  • The Mets bullpen had to work hard after Julio Teheran couldn’t pitch out of the third inning. Reed Garrett was excellent striking out five as the first man out of the pen before a number of lead changes occurred as both bullpens gave up runs. Despite giving up four walks over three innings, Jake Diekman and Drew Smith came away with the win and hold respectively after the Atlanta bullpen had an uncharacteristic meltdown. Former Orioles closer Jorge López was given the save opportunity after Edwin Diaz, Adam Ottavino and Brooks Raley saw heavy usage over the weekend. He gave up a double to Matt Olsen before coughing up a run but forced flyouts from Orlando Arcia and Travis d’Arnaud to end the game.
  • Pierce Johnson had a shocking outing that included two singles, a walk, a wild pitch, and a two-run homer by DJ Stewart. This outing came just a day after notching a rare save so any trust he had built will now be shaky at best. AJ Minter was charged with a blown save despite striking out two on either side of Brandon Nimmo’s game-tying long ball.

 

LAD 4 – MIN 2

L: Jay Jackson (0-1)

HD: Ryan Brasier (3), Daniel Hudson (3)

SV: Evan Phillips (4)

BS: Steven Okert (1)

  • The Dodgers rolled out their preferred late-innings trio as they overcame the Twins 4-2. Ryan Brasier and Daniel Hudson pitched hitless frames before Evan Phillips notched his fourth save of the young season. Phillips needed just 11 pitches to retire Carlos Correa, Ryan Jeffers, and Byron Buxton in order. Elite!
  • Veteran Steven Okert was charged with a blown save after giving up three hits and a run in relief of Bailey Ober, who left after five strong innings with the Twins leading 2-1. Okert gave up a double to Shohei Ohtani before back-to-back singles tied the game for the Dodgers. Okert answered back with three straight outs to stem the damage but journeyman Jay Jackson gave up solo homers to James Outman and Ohtani to hand the Dodgers the advantage.

 

PHI 5 – STL 3 (10)

W: Jeff Hoffman (1-0)

L: Ryan Helsley (1-1)

HD: Seranthony Domínguez (1), José Alvarado (1)

SV: Gregory Soto (1)

BS: Jeff Hoffman (2)

  • Gregory Soto punched out Nolan Gorman and Nolan Arenado to close out the 5-3 win after Jeff Hoffman had blown the save opportunity in the ninth inning for the Phillies. Choosing to employ closer José Alvarado against the top of the Cardinals order in the eighth was a wise choice as he pitched a scoreless frame but Hoffman quickly got into trouble by allowing two hits and a walk in the ninth. Masyn Winn tied the game but an Alec Bohm double in extra innings after the Cardinals chose to intentionally walk Bryce Harper handed the game to Philly.
  • Giovanny Gallegos gave up a solo homer to Brandon Marsh as the Phillies extended their lead in the top of the ninth inning before the Cardinals’ middle order did some damage and tied the game. Closer Helsley forced Trea Turner to groundout but the decision to pitch to Bohm instead of Harper backfired miserably, the third baseman bobbling a line drive down the third base line to turn in what would be the winning runs.

 

ARI 4 – COL 7

W: Peter Lambert (2-0)

L: Scott McGough (0-3)

HD: Justin Lawrence (1), Nick Mears (3)

SV: Jake Bird (1)

BS: Scott McGough (1)

  • Once thought to be in line for late-innings duties, Scott McGough now has three losses in his last three outings. He allowed three runs on two hits and two walks over two-thirds of an inning before being pulled in relief of Zac Gallen.
  • The confusion reigns in Colorado as closer Justin Lawrence pitched a clean eighth inning protecting a two-run lead before Nick Mears was handed the ball for the save opportunity in the ninth. Mears walked the first two hitters he faced and gave up a run-scoring single before walking Christian Walker to load the bases with two outs. Jake Bird was called upon to get the final out, which he did. Read into that turn of events what you will?!

 

CHC 8 – SDP 9

W: Wandy Peralta (1-0)

L: Adbert Alzolay (1-1)

HD: Héctor Neris (1), Luke Little (1)

SV: Robert Suarez (4)

BS: Adbert Alzolay (2)

  • A seven-run sixth inning nearly wiped out an 8-0 lead for the Cubs before closer Adbert Alzolay was called on to protect a one-run lead in the eighth. Brought in with one man on base and one out, Fernando Tatis Jr. smacked a two-run shot to give the Padres their first lead of the contest going into the top of the ninth. Alzolay should still be a comfortable bet for the next save opportunity.
  • Benefitting from Tatis’ blast, Robert Suarez cemented his position as the Padres closer by striking out two hitters in a perfect ninth. Suarez has tied for the league lead with four saves while allowing just one run and posting an 8:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio over six innings.

 

The Best of the Rest…

  • Nestor Cortes pitched eight shutout innings for the Yankees in a 7-0 drubbing of the dismal Marlins. Allowing just two hits, Cortes saved the bullpen any major work with newly minted Josh Maciejewski pitching one clean inning in relief. Miami needed multiple innings from Matt Andriese after Jesús Luzardo got knocked to the tune of seven earned runs on eight hits.
  • The Nationals thumped the Giants 8-1 as Blake Snell struggled through three frames. Dylan Law threw two scoreless innings piggybacking starter Trevor Williams‘ serviceable five frames.
  • The Angels continue to roll after seven scoreless innings from Tyler Anderson in their 7-1 win over the Rays. Zach Eflin dropped to 1-2 after giving up five runs on nine hits and a bomb to Mike Trout.
  • Blair Henley was called up in an emergency to start for the Astros in place of a scratched Framber Valdez (elbow soreness, yikes!) and it could not have gone worse as the debutant gave up five runs on five hits and three walks recording just one out. Seth Martinez cleaned up the mess and earned the win allowing one hit across three and two-thirds innings. Tayler Scott and Brandon Bielak each threw two scoreless innings of relief as the Astros overcame the Texans 10-5, who relied on José Ureña for four innings in relief of a knocked-around Andrew Heaney.

 

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

 

Photo by Zac BonDurant/Icon Sportswire

Design by Jackson Wallace

Benjamin Haller

A Yorkshireman living in Australia, loving Major League Baseball from afar. As I wait for my A's to build their new stadium, I spend my time coaching soccer, writing for sportbc.blog, and over-analyzing relief pitcher scoring in fantasy baseball. Follow me @benjaminhaller1 for thousands of retweets

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