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 MLB teams were in action for the 4th of July with three extra innings games (CHC v MIL; OAK v DET; ATL v CLE) and seven successfully converted saves.
- Nelson Cruz was designated for assignment by the Padres. While not reliever related, it’s worth tipping our cap to what likely is the end of a perennially underappreciated career—both in real life and fantasy.
- The Minnesota Twins activated Jorge López from the 15-Day IL. While it is unlikely Lopéz will regain his 8th inning set-up role thanks to the emergence of Griffin Jax, there is still a path available towards a set-up role and holds if he is able to return to form. Worth monitoring if you are in need of a holds play.
Yesterday’s Performances
NYM 8 – ARI 5
SV: David Robertson (12)
HD: Adam Ottavino (10); Brooks Raley (17)
- After Drew Smith allowed two base runners in the ninth inning, the Mets called up David Robertson to secure the final out of the game. However, Robertson continued to make things interesting—allowing a single from Corbin Carroll to load the bases and issuing an RBI walk to Christian Walker to bring the winning run to the plate. Robertson managed to induce a Lourdes Gurriel groundout to finish the frame.
- With his third hold in five days, Brooks Raley is now ranked 4th in the MLB in holds. The skills look a little worse than last year for the 35-year-old, but the opportunities are there and he continues to convert.
PHL 3 – TBR 1
SV: Craig Kimbrel (13)
HD: José Alvarado (6)
- Craig Kimbrel struck out two as he dispatched the Rays cleanly for his 13th save of the season. Kimbrel looks to have rekindled the spark of his 2020-2021 resurgence—compelling a strikeout rate north of 40% and a CSW% above 33%. Walks and barrels continue to be a problem, but this seems like a very workable path for Kimbrel and the Phillies.
LAA 5 – SDP 8
SV: Josh Hader (19)
- With a seven-run lead in the 9th, the Padres high leverage arms were looking at a night off. Enter José Castillo who promptly allowed two earned runs to cross the plate and left the game with the bases loaded with Halos.
- Josh Hader was called upon to steady the ship and navigate past this bases-loaded jam. Hader managed to walk in two runs charged to Castillo but induced a Tyler Ward ground out to secure the save.
ATL 5 – CLE 6
SV: None
HD: Trevor Stephan (13)
- Never a good sign when the write-up begins with “saves: none.” This matchup saw blown opportunities from each team’s premier closer. Emmanuel Clase was the first to falter by allowing a lead-off homer to Ozzie Albies to tie the game in the ninth. Clase now leads the league in blown saves with seven. Some trends are a bit alarming when compared to last year: lower strikeout rate, walk rate nearly doubled, barrell rate nearly doubled. However, his PLV is as strong as ever and there are no noticeable dips in velocity. Ultimately, it’s extremely unlikely that Clase would lose his grip on the closer role, but this roller coaster is certainly not what folks anticipated on draft day.
- On the other side of the bill, Raisel Iglesias fell victim to the ghost runner when 27-year-old rookie David Fry hit a two-out single to bring home the winning run.
TOR 5 – CHW 4
SV: Jordan Romano (25)
HD: Erik Swanson (21)
- Jordan Romano was dominant in his performance as he struck out the side to earn his league-leading 25th save. Erik Swanson gave up a hit on his way to his league-leading 21st save. The Toronto bullpen is delivering big time for those who invested in this late-inning duo.
The best of the rest…
- Lucas Sims was called to put out a two-walk fire in the 9th inning of Cincinnati’s 8-4 victory. Sims dispatched the Nats’ bats in short order and earned the save thanks to the presence of those inherited baserunners.
- With two men on in a four-run game, the Rangers called upon Will Smith to close the door with the final out. And close it he did. Reassuring to see Smith capture this save after his recent blow-up in the wake of the Aroldis Chapman trade.
- It’s been a brutal 72 hours for the Cubs’ co-closers. Mark Leiter Jr. provided his second consecutive game allowing multiple earned runs while Adbert Alzolay also allowed earned runs in his second straight appearance for his first blown save.
- Trevor May earned his sixth save of the year with a clean ninth inning to help spoil the triumphant return of Detroit’s Tarik Skubal.
- Evan Phillips blew a save in spectacular fashion—allowing three earned runs via two walks and two hits to the Pirates.
Bullpen Depth Charts
The Hold Up: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday