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
- A full slate of games was played Tuesday night, and a full slate is ahead for Wednesday with all 30 teams in action.
- The Marlins claimed Matt Moore off waivers from the Guardians, the second time this season Moore has been claimed off waivers.
Yesterday’s Performances
WSH 4 – CWS 3
HD: Hunter Harvey (18), Aaron Bummer (14)
SV: Kyle Finnegan (26)
- The only time you really want to chase the Nationals since they’ve cooled off (again) is when they play another bad team. Case in point: This was Kyle Finnegan’s first save in the month of September! Don’t worry, Hunter Harvey has had more success. This was his 2nd hold this month.
- The same thing applies to the White Sox, but it’s worse because at least with Washington we know who’s gonna get the save chance. Recent favorite Bryan Shaw came in to get the final out in the 7th, but allowed 3 runs to score, with 1 of them being charged to him. Because of this, Aaron Bummer got the rare Hold/Loss combo.
MIA 4 – NYM 3
HD: A.J. Puk (2), Andrew Nardi (17)
SV: None
- After seeing himself rise ever-so-slightly up the Closing Time list into the top 5, Tanner Scott let the pressure get to him and blew his 4th save of the season. But the Marlins could not be denied, and he ended up picking up his 9th win of the season after Miami walked it off. A.J. Puk and Andrew Nardi secured holds ahead of Scott with scoreless appearances, although Puk did manage to pitch around 3 hits in only 2/3 of an inning.
- Trevor Gott got got, allowing the winning run to score on a walk-off single
with cheesefrom Jake Burger.
KCR 7 – CLE 6
HD: Taylor Clarke (12), Carlos Hernández (14), James McArthur (2)
SV: Collin Snider (1)
- There’s a new challenger for saves in Kansas City! Collin Snider picked up his 1st save of the season with a perfect 9th inning. James McArthur, the save opportunity beneficiary from the previous day, struck out all 3 batters he faced for his 2nd hold of the season. Meanwhile, previous save favorite Taylor Clarke took paired with excommunicated former closer Carlos Hernández in the 7th, with both allowing runs in their less-than-an-inning of work. Kansas City now has 4 saves in 5 days… from 3 different relievers.
- Logan Allen only made it 3 innings allowing 4 runs before having to give way to the bullpen. Michael Kelly, fresh off the IL, added to the damage with 3 runs of his own, although 2 of them were inherited runners that James Karinchak (fresh from AAA) allowed to score. Cleveland was able to use all of their early/middle relievers here, so the top of the hierarchy should be fresh for any save opportunities over the next 2 days. Emmanuel Clase hasn’t pitched in 3 days, so expect him to appear regardless.
TEX 6 – BOS 4
HD: None
SV: José Leclerc (3)
- In a tie game with runners on 2nd and 3rd, one out, and Rafael Devers up to bat in the 7th, the Rangers turned to Aroldis Chapman, who responded by striking out Devers and getting Justin Turner to ground out. Chapman also retired the side in order, striking out 2 more, to earn the win. With the Rangers chasing a playoff spot, they are going to use their best relievers in tight spots like this because Real Baseball™ is more important than Fantasy Baseball. José Leclerc got his 3rd save of the season in the 9th.
- Tanner Houck wasn’t his most efficient, so the bullpen took over starting with the Brennan Bernardino in the 5th, throwing a scoreless frame. Mauricio Llovera and Chris Murphy added to the damage, allowing 4 runs between the two of them. Boston is a team looking to next year. Of note: Kenley Jansen is likely to be activated today, which will bump Chris Martin back down to his setup role.
BAL 9 – HOU 5
HD: None
SV: Cionel Pérez (2)
- Baltimore has clinched their playoff spot, their first since 2016, and have their sights set on the American League East title, which would guarantee them a bye. With that in mind, they are in Real Baseball™ mode like the Rangers above. Jack Flaherty pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief. Flaherty pitched the 7th, 8th, and top of the 9th before allowing a hit and giving way to Yennier Cano (his 3rd straight appearance), who immediately ran into trouble by allowing a hit to bring the baserunner total up to 2. From there Cano got Jose Altuve to hit into a double play, but a wild pitch sending Altuve to second and a walk ended Cano’s night. Cionel Pérez was then called upon to take care of Yordan Alvarez to save the game, which he did on 3 pitches for his 2nd save of the season.
- Hunter Brown allowed 7 runs in his 5.1 innings of work to put the AL-West-leading Astros behind the
78 ball from the start. Bullpen banished Jose Urquidy tacked on 2 more runs in his 1.1 innings of work to mostly put the game away (until the Astros tried to threaten again in the 9th).
Best of the Rest
- Robert Stephenson allowed his first run in over a month on a home run to Logan O’Hoppe and was charged with his 5th blown save of the season. He ended up with the win after Aaron Loup singlehandedly handed the game back to Tampa with 4 runs on 3 hits.
- Speaking of firsts, Josh Hader picked up his 1st win of the season with a scoreless 9th inning of a tie game after Tyler Kinley allowed a 2 out, 2-run Xander Bogaerts walk off home run.
- Alex Lange blew his 3rd save in 4 days (with a converted one sandwiched in the middle like a bad closer sandwich). Jason Foley meanwhile has 4 straight holds, 3 of them coming in front of said “sandwich”. Lange should remain the favorite since they’ve rolled with him the most as of late and they aren’t playing for anything, but it would not be a surprise to see Foley get the next chance.
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)