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
- We saw a full 15-game slate on Friday night with every team in action. The whole league is playing tonight as well, with the Giants/Rockies also making up their Thursday rainout at 2:10PM EST.
- The Giants reinstated Ross Stripling from the IL yesterday, and with their doubleheader today, I think it’s effectively guaranteed that we see multiple innings from him today. The Giants haven’t named a starter for their second game so there’s a chance he starts (be careful in capped starts leagues), but I think it is more likely he follows an opener there or follows starter Keaton Winn in the early game. This is definitely not the safest bulk relief play of all time; Stripling allowed five home runs in his last 11 innings before going to the IL, and he’ll be pitching in Coors today. With that said, I think I’d run with it in points leagues.
- The Red Sox recalled Chris Murphy from Triple-A. Murphy had a stretch of very effective performances following an opener over the summer – he’d pitched to a 1.59 ERA over 28 innings in June and July – but the wheels started falling off in August. He looked good last night against the Blue Jays, but Boston has a brutal schedule that will probably preclude all but desperate chasing.
Yesterday’s Performances
WAS 3 – MIL 5
HD: Trevor Megill (4), Abner Uribe(7)
SV: Devin Williams (35)
- Just a day after #34, Williams struck out the side for his 35th save of the season. Megill and Uribe combined for seven outs, allowing a single hit. Williams’ season has really been exceptional. Among pitchers with at least 30 saves, Williams leads the pack in WHIP (0.90), is second in ERA (1.62, behind Félix Bautista), and is third in strikeouts (82, behind Bautista and Alexis Díaz). I think he’s a lock for Reliever of the Year in the NL in what is just his first full season as a closer.
- The Nats needed four relievers after a short start, ending with Hunter Harvey in the eighth. He allowed a run on three hits while striking out two. He’s had some rougher performances recently amid what’s been a strong campaign. I’ll be interested to see where he and co-closer Kyle Finnegan end up next year.
NYY 7 – PIT 5
HD: Colin Selby (2), Carmen Mlodzinski (7)
SV: Clay Holmes (20)
- Holmes notched his 20th save of the season against the Pirates after the Yankees came back for four runs in the top of the 9th. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster campaign for Holmes. He opened the year as the Yankees closer and was drafted relatively early across the board in fantasy. By early May, however, his ERA was above 6.00 and the Yankees began splitting the save share across four (!) arms, including Holmes. However, he was excellent in June and July, giving up two ER over 17 innings and notching nine saves. Things fell apart again in August as he allowed nine ER over six appearances. But after all that, managers who held on tight (or, preferably, dropped and re-added) have been treated to a fantastic two weeks of September of seven innings, four saves and zero runs. It couldn’t come at a better time.
- Colin Holderman took the loss here, giving up four runs across four hits and two walks. Closer David Bednar had thrown 40 pitches over the last two days and the Pirates missed him here. Selby and Mlodzinski threw clean innings for holds ahead of Holderman’s blow-up.
PHI 5 – STL 4
HD: Jeff Hoffman (8), Seranthony Domínguez (13), Craig Kimbrel (6)
SV: José Alvarado (8)
- Despite walking away with the win, the Phillies’ co-closers had a bit of a rough showing last night. Craig Kimbrel pitched the eighth, striking out two but walking three, before turning the ball over to Alvarado, who allowed a run on two hits and two walks. The two have been sharing closing responsibilities evenly this month, with two SVOs apiece. It is not immediately clear why Alvarado was the chosen option here, but presumably, the Phillies liked the platoon splits – nothing to read into.
- The Cardinals were down early in this one, but the bullpen pitched well. Matthew Liberatore, Drew VerHagen, and Andre Pallante combined for 10 outs with just two baserunners and four strikeouts.
SFG 2 – COL 3
HD: None
SV: None
- Camilo Doval took the loss, moving to 6-5 and picking up his eighth blown save of the season – among the most in baseball. He allowed a double, a walk, and then a game-winning single on a bang-bang play at the plate. Doval has been pitching better in September after his rough end to August, although his strikeouts are a bit down – only five in six innings. While he seemed to be on the hot seat a few weeks ago, it seems that he’ll finish out the season as the Giants hunt for a wild card.
- The Rockies used Justin Lawrence (who struck out the only batter he faced in the eighth), Nick Mears, and Matt Koch, who picked up the win.
The best of the rest
- Alexis Díaz recorded his 37th save in a win over the Mets. That total leads the National League.
- Jordan Romano pitched a clean inning with two strikeouts for his 35th save of the season. Jordan Hicks picked up his 10th hold.
Bullpen Depth Charts
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
(Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)