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 was an extra game on Saturday as the Red Sox and Rays partook in a doubleheader. We’ll have a full slate again on Sunday as all 30 teams will take the field.
- The Orioles placed Danny Coulombe on the bereavement list. He should return in a few days.
- The Angels optioned Chase Silseth to the minors. Ben Joyce will rightfully replace him on the chart.
- The Rays optioned Trevor Kelley to the minors. The newly acquired Robert Stephenson will take his place on the chart.
Yesterday’s Performances
TBR 5 – BOS 8 (Game 1)
W: Corey Kluber (3)
L: Jalen Beeks (3)
H: Kevin Kelly (7), Josh Winckowski (8), Chris Martin (10)
SV: Kenley Jansen (12)
BS: Jalen Beeks (1)
TBR 4 – BOS 2 (Game 2)
W: Calvin Faucher (1)
L: Kenley Jansen (3)
H: Robert Stephenson (7)
SV: Jason Adam (8)
BS: Colin Poche (3)
- I’m expecting Robert Stephenson to be an impactful addition to the Tampa Bay bullpen. He intrigued me during his days in Cincinnati and I was excited when he finally got out of Coors last year. Now he’ll head to the best situation for a reliever – pitching for the reliever whisperers in Tampa Bay. His ERA estimators and other advanced metrics don’t point to an under-the-radar All-Star, however, he’s in the top 10 in CSW (37.6%) thanks to one of the best swing and miss sliders in baseball (24.2% SwStr). He also throws his heater in the upper-90s. Don’t be surprised when he leads the team in saves in the second half.
- Kenley Jansen had an eventful day. He locked down the save in dominant fashion in the matinee, recording all of his outs via the strikeout. In the second half of the doubleheader, he was extended beyond his means. They turned to him in a tie game in the ninth inning and he promptly gave up four baserunners and two runs to take home the loss. Usually, it’s unwise to push a reliever to go twice in one day, but it’s especially unforgiving when that reliever is in his mid-30s. This bullpen is incredibly taxed, so we could see someone as unexpected as Nick Pivetta closing things out on Sunday.
DET 1 – CHW 2
W: Reynaldo López (1)
L: José Cisnero (1)
- Despite multiple closers pitching in this one, we saw no saves. Alex Lange pitched the ninth in a tie game and lowered his ERA to 1.11. There was a time when I wasn’t super excited about the prospect of him being the closer in Detroit, but even if he had retained last year’s skills, I would’ve still been happy this year. To my surprise, he’s taken steps forward and now boasts a strikeout rate over 35%. The only marks on his resume are not pitching for a contender and a walk rate north of 11%.
- The White Sox used both Liam Hendriks and Kendall Graveman in non-save situations. The former took the seventh inning as the White Sox look to ease him back into the closer role. That should increase Graveman’s fantasy viability and makes him someone that should remain on rosters until Hendriks fully reclaims the role. Graveman pitched the ninth in a tie game, and despite an ERA more than half a run lower than last year, his ERA estimators are not sold. His xFIP is more than a run higher than last year’s and is more than two runs higher than his current ERA because of a .171 BABIP and a decreased ground ball rate. This might be your last chance to sell high.
COL 6 – KCR 4
W: Matt Carasiti (1)
SV: Justin Lawrence (2)
- That’s now back-to-back games that Justin Lawrence has been used to secure a save. The Rockies were in need of a changing of the guard with Pierce Johnson having pitched to a 6.85 ERA. They looked to Daniel Bard on Friday, but he put the tying run in the on-deck circle, necessitating a switch. Lawrence is the best option in my opinion. Not only does he throw from a funky arm slot, but he’s also had success this year thanks to a nasty slider (90th percentile PLV) and a mid-90s sinker. I’d love to see him outside of Coors, but maybe that doesn’t happen until he makes a name for himself as the closer. He’s pitched on three consecutive days, so don’t be surprised if Johnson is back out for the ninth on Sunday.
- It had been almost a week since Scott Barlow last pitched, so he got a maintenance outing on Saturday. The rumor mill is swirling with whispers about Barlow being on the trade block. It’s warranted given the Royals’ competitive window and his status as a free agent after the 2024 campaign. It’s also a good time to trade him while his stock is high, as he’s been on a tear recently. Since April 22nd, he’s tossed 15.1 innings, allowing just two earned runs (1.17 ERA) while striking out 21 batters (37.5% K rate).
TOR 2 – NYM 1
W: Nate Pearson (2)
L: David Robertson (1)
SV: Erik Swanson (1)
BS: Brooks Raley (2)
- Nate Pearson has been fantastic since being recalled on April 25th. After struggling with his command early in his career as a starter, the shift to the bullpen has done wonders. Not only has he cut his walk rate by almost 10% (!) to make him above average in that department, but everything else has improved with it. He’s striking out more than 29% of batters and his ERA sits at 1.59 (17 IP). The only problem is that he gives up lots of hard contact and most of it comes in the air. When his 4.3% HR/FB rate eventually regresses towards the mean, we could see his ERA jump. Even still, his upper-90s, 97th-percentile-PLV heater and wipeout slider should make him one of the more effective relievers in the AL throughout the year.
- After closing out the eighth for the Mets in a tie ballgame, the team sent David Robertson back out to keep the score knotted in the ninth. The veteran closer surrendered one run on three hits and was tagged with his first loss of the season. The Mets are often willing to use Robertson in more of a high-leverage role because they’re aware he’s their best reliever. He won’t get every single save chance, but he will earn the majority of them. It’ll be interesting to see how many more saves he can rack up before Edwin Diaz makes his return late in the season.
Best of the Rest
- David Bednar closed out the ninth for the Pirates to earn his 12th save. He’s now pitched on consecutive days, but so has setup man Colin Holderman. Dauri Moreta would be the next in line to vulture a save.
- The Phillies turned to Craig Kimbrel in the ninth, as the veteran righty secured his eighth save. Since taking over the closer role on May 9th, he has tossed 10 innings. During that time, he’s allowed just five baserunners (0.50 WHIP) and two runs (1.80 ERA) while striking out 16 batters (45.7% K rate).
- Ryan Pressly pitched in the ninth for the Astros up by four. It wasn’t a maintenance outing, as he had just pitched on Thursday. He locked down the win despite surrendering a run on two hits.
- Trevor May pitched a maintenance inning for the A’s, having not pitched since Monday. He hasn’t earned a save since returning from the IL, so it’s still not 100% certain he’s the closer. You can’t blame him for that though, the A’s have not been on the winning end of many save opportunities.
- Devin Williams earned his 10th save with a hitless ninth during which he recorded all of his outs via the strikeout. He’s been nearly unhittable this year despite a reduced strikeout rate. His ERA currently sits at 0.46 (19.2), the lowest among pitchers with at least 15 innings pitched. He’s appeared in back-to-back games and should cede ninth-inning duties to Peter Strzelecki or Joel Payamps.
- Emmanuel Clase earned his MLB-leading 18th save with a perfect ninth inning on Saturday. In his last five appearances, he’s given up just one run while striking out seven. Getting back to striking batters out will be important as Clase looks to stave off regression.
- Clay Holmes closed out the win for the Yankees in Hollywood. It was his sixth save of the season and it seems as though he has reclaimed the closer role for the Bronx Bombers.
- Camilo Doval pitched the ninth for the Giants despite a four-run lead. Don’t read into it. He’s definitely the closer.
- Raisel Iglesias secured his sixth save with a scoreless ninth in Arizona. After an early hiccup, he has been unscored upon across his last 7.1 innings pitched.
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