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
- All 30 teams were in action yesterday. One game went to extra innings.
- There were a total of five converted saves.
- The Rays DFA’d Zack Burdi, put Zack Littell on the IL, and called up Ben Heller.
- The Reds elevated Eduardo Salazar after designating Silvino Bracho for assignment.
- Milwaukee’s starter for Thursday was still “TBD” on Wednesday night and could be the recently signed Julio Teheran. In any case, the long men in the bullpen could be in line for some substantial work and possibly a win if the offense comes through. Trevor Megill and the recently recalled Tyson Miller seem the most likely.
Bullpen to Stream
- Félix Bautista has pitched in back-to-back contests, so Yennier Cano and his 0.35 ERA could see a vulture save opportunity.
- As Mychal Givens has pitched in two straight and Danny Coulombe threw 22 pitches last night, Bryan Baker and Cionel Pérez are strong options for a hold.
Yesterday’s Performances
TEX 3 – PIT 2
SV: Will Smith (9)
HD: José Leclerc (1)
- The Rangers’ bullpen only needed to get six outs after seven solid innings from Martín Pérez. Most of the outs came from Smith, who set down the final five batters after being summoned in the eighth with the bases loaded. Smith deserved this save without a doubt. He’s been a terrific addition to the Rangers and has secured the closer role. If he’s still available in your league, he’s worth adding.
- Though he recorded his first hold of the season, José Leclerc’s outing was not pretty. With one out, he gave up back-to-back singles and then walked the bases loaded. If not for a brilliant escape by Smith, Leclerc might have taken his second loss on the season. After starting the year strong, it’s been a rough go for him lately, and with Smith entrenched as the closer, Leclerc’s fantasy value is minimal.
WSN 5 – SDP 3
SV: Kyle Finnegan (10)
HD: Carl Edwards Jr. (9); Hunter Harvey (9)
- The Nationals’ bullpen combined for three and one-third scoreless innings to close out the victory over the Padres and secure the win for Trevor Williams. Edwards came on with two out and a runner on in the sixth and left an inning later after allowing a two-out single to Brett Sullivan. Harvey relieved him and recorded the next four outs, two via the strikeout, before turning it over to Finnegan in the ninth. Edwards and Harvey have been terrific sources for holds this season, with nine apiece.
- Kyle Finnegan needed only ten pitches to set the Friars down in order for his tenth save. After a rocky start, Finnegan now sits among the league leaders in the category. Don’t let his 4.74 ERA fool you. He’s only allowed two earned runs over his last 16 and two-thirds innings. Given his inconsistent track record, it’s hard to trust him. However, if you are seeking saves, he’s worth gambling on.
DET 6 – KCR 4
SV: Alex Lange (9)
HD: Chasen Shreve (5); Jason Foley (8)
- Alex Lange surrendered a run off an HBP, double, and sac fly but still earned the save for the Tigers. He’s been terrific this year in his first year as a closer, and even after today’s outing, his ERA sits at 1.27. Lange will probably cool off, given his 89.5% LOB%, .214 BABIP, and zero homers allowed, but he’s still emerged as a high-end closer.
- Shreve and Foley were also dinged for runs but recorded holds nevertheless. Foley leads the club in the category and Shreve pulled ahead of José Cisnero for the second most on the team. Detroit’s bullpen has been surprisingly good this year. Despite a lack of star power, the unit ranked eighth in ERA heading into Wednesday.
BAL 9 – NYY 6
SV: Félix Bautista (12)
HD: Danny Coulombe (10)
- Baltimore’s improbably eight-run rally in the seventh inning paved the way for Daniel Coulombe’s tenth hold and Félix Bautista’s 12th save. Yankee starter Nestor Cortes Jr. and reliever Jimmy Cordero couldn’t get the O’s out in the inning that turned the game on its head.
- Bautista continues to be among the top closers in the game, posting a stellar 1.44 ERA and an unbelievable 18 K/9. Yennier Cano has overshadowed Coulombe, but he’s now tied him with 10 holds on the season. Baltimore’s bullpen has been one of the best in baseball this year.
Best of the rest
- Craig Kimbrel picked up his third win after pitching a clean top of the tenth. José Ruiz came on for the D-Backs in the bottom of the inning and promptly loaded the bases before Alec Bohm’s single secured the extra-inning victory for Philadelphia. Kimbrel’s been shaky this year, but he’s now recorded scoreless outings in five of his last six appearances. If you are desperate for saves, he could help out in the short term.
- Raisel Iglesias won his first game in a wild one against the Dodgers. After Jesse Chavez earned his 10th hold in the seventh, Atlanta handed the ball to Nick Anderson in the eighth with a two-run lead. Anderson blew the save, though, after giving up a single and a pair of doubles. Iglesias put a couple of Dodgers on in the ninth but didn’t allow a run and was credited with the win after the Braves scored off Phil Bickford in the bottom of the inning.
- Mark Leiter Jr. recorded his second save after retiring the Mets in order on 10 pitches. Leiter has pitched in back-to-back games and may not be available on Thursday. Adbert Alzolay could see a vulture save opportunity if the situation warrants it.
- Austin Pruitt, one of the A’s co-closers, served as the opener on Wednesday. As this was his second outing in as many days, he’s unlikely to see a save opportunity on Thursday – not that anyone was counting on that.
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