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 Wednesday, but only 16 will be taking the field today, including four afternoon games. The rest of the league should have fully-rested bullpens headed into the weekend.
- The Tigers placed Jason Foley on the bereavement list, calling up right-hander Trey Wingenter in his place.
- The Rockies optioned Connor Seabold to Triple-A. Rookie Karl Kauffman, who was called up in turn, should serve as their bulk innings-eater for the time being.
Yesterday’s Performances
MIA 5 – CIN 4
HD: Ian Gibaut (17)
SV: David Robertson (17)
- David Robertson rebounded from a couple of rough outings with a clean 9th inning Wednesday, striking out Elly De La Cruz to end the game and earn his second save as a Marlin. The Fish had lost 8 of 11 since acquiring Robertson, but this makes for a W2, and some positive momentum for the new Miami closer. Both he and setup man Tanner Scott have also pitched back-to-backs, but Miami has the day off on Thursday, so it shouldn’t impact much.
- Another heartbreaker for the Redlegs, who got seven strong innings from Graham Ashcraft and led 4-1 when he left. Ian Gibaut struck out two of the first three batters he faced in the 8th, but he was removed in favor of trade deadline acquisition Sam Moll after an argument led to Jorge Soler and Marlins manager Skip Schumaker each being tossed. Moll promptly allowed a single and a game-tying, three-run bomb to Josh Bell. Combine that with Alexis Díaz allowing the go-ahead shot in the 9th, and you’ve got an afternoon to forget in Cincinnati.
COL 6 – MIL 7 (10)
HD: Hoby Milner (11)
SV: None
- After a rough start by Chris Flexen, the Colorado bullpen actually put up zeros from the 6th inning up until Justin Lawrence blew it in the 10th. Even that amounted to zero earned runs, as Lawrence allowed the ghost runner to score on a double and Milwaukee won on a walk-off error. Even when the Rockies are rolling, things get rocky.
- The Brewers ‘pen was solid as well, despite Abner Uribe being charged with a blown save for a two-out RBI single in the 7th. Joel Payamps struck out two in the 8th, Devin Williams was perfect in the 9th, and Bryce Wilson allowed just one unearned run in the 10th but wound up getting the win.
STL 6 – TBR 4
HD: John King (3), Drew VerHagen (8), JoJo Romero (3)
SV: Giovanny Gallegos (9)
- The Cardinals executed their late-inning game plan effectively in the Trop, with the only bullpen blemish being a 7th-inning Wander Franco solo shot. Giovanny Gallegos turned in his ninth straight scoreless outing in the 9th, retiring the Rays 1-2-3 to earn his save no. 9. With Ryan Helsley potentially returning from the IL this weekend, it’ll be interesting to see how St. Louis manages their dynamic late-innings duo going forward.
- The Rays’ bullpen game wasn’t quite as effective, with Jalen Beeks and Kevin Kelly combining to allow eight hits and five runs in the first four innings. Shawn Armstrong evened things out after that with two perfect frames, but the damage was done.
TOR 1 – CLE 0
HD: Erik Swanson (27), Tim Mayza (19)
SV: Jordan Hicks (11)
- It’s still early, but Jordan Hicks is looking right at home in Toronto. Since his first appearance, Hicks has now turned in four consecutive scoreless outings and three straight saves. The latest required just one out, as Hicks came on for Tim Mayza with one on and two out in the 9th, clinging to a 1-0 lead in Cleveland. He induced a popout on the second pitch. Hicks seems to have established himself as a de facto closer in the absence of Jordan Romano.
- The Guardians got two quality innings in relief from Eli Morgan, who struck out four and allowed just one baserunner between the 6th and 7th. Sam Hentges and Michael Kelly also kept the Jays off the board, but with zero margin for error in this game, it was all for naught.
ATL 6 – PIT 5
HD: A.J. Minter (12)
SV: Raisel Iglesias (22)
- In a ridiculous game wherein both teams combined to tally 25 hits and 22 LOB, MLB’s winningest squad eventually just did what it does. The Atlanta bullpen was excellent, with their only blemish coming on a 7th-inning Ke’Bryan Hayes homer allowed by Collin McHugh. McHugh was brilliant otherwise, covering nearly three innings in relief and striking out four with just one hit. He was followed by Pierce Johnson and then A.J. Minter, before Raisel Iglesias came in and closed things down in the 9th (albeit stranding two hits). Iglesias hasn’t allowed a run since July 18th, going 6-6 in save chances since that date. He has, however, pitched three straight days — so Minter could be in line for a save opportunity on Thursday.
- The Pirates’ pitching wasn’t quite as sharp, but they managed to worm out of jam after jam, forcing the Braves to leave the bases loaded on three separate occasions. Jose Hernandez pitched the 9th, and he ended up being the only Pirates reliever to allow less than two hits (he allowed zero, but did walk a batter).
SFG 1 – LAA 4
HD: Jose Soriano (11), Matt Moore (17)
SV: Carlos Estévez (24)
- The Giants used Ryan Walker as an opener for Sean Manaea, who allowed just one run and one hit in four innings while striking out six. Tristan Beck covered the last three innings, and he was ultimately charged with a blown save after the Angels’ four-run 6th.
- Carlos Estévez got the bounce-back performance he needed in a big way after Monday’s debacle. The Angels handed him the ball once again in the 9th, this time with a three-run lead, and he worked a clean inning with just one hit to earn the save. Estévez shareholders can keep hoping that his recent struggles were just a small bump in the road.
LAD 2 – ARI 0
HD: Joe Kelly (12)
SV: Evan Phillips (16)
- The Dodgers got six shutout innings from Bobby Miller, then turned it over to the bullpen for more of the same. Caleb Ferguson, Joe Kelly, and Evan Phillips combined to allow just one baserunner in the final three innings, with Phillips picking up his second save of the series. He has pitched twice in as many days, so Brusdar Graterol should be considered the most likely to collect one on Thursday, should the need arise.
- Things were going fine for Arizona until the 8th inning when Kyle Nelson entered the game and allowed all four runners he faced to reach base (two hits, two walks, one intentional). He was replaced by Miguel Castro, who escaped the jam, but the damage was done. Scott McGough tossed a scoreless 9th.
The best of the rest…
- Just as we all expected, the Athletics’ bullpen game against the Rangers was a flawless success. Austin Pruitt got things started, Freddy Tarnok threw four scoreless, and Trevor May nailed it down in the end for his 12th save in the 2-0 victory.
- The Phillies needed just one (former) reliever to polish off the Nationals, as Michael Lorenzen hurled a 124-pitch no-hitter. Way to save the ‘pen!
- Kenley Jansen made things interesting late in the Red Sox 4-3 win over the Royals, allowing a home run to narrow the lead before escaping with his 25th save.
- Phil Bickford collected his first save as a Met, though it wasn’t easy. Bickford came on with none out and two on in the 9th, relieving Adam Ottavino, who had just allowed a homer, single and walk. Bickford walked a batter himself, but got the final two outs via strikeout to strand the bases loaded and beat the Cubs 4-3.
- Gregory Santos earned his third save, despite the White Sox pulling away late for a 9-2 victory. Santos entered in the 8th when the lead was just three runs, and he stayed on for the 9th, striking out two and walking one in total.
Bullpen Depth Charts
The Hold Up: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday