Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Rankings

Chicago Cubs
Caleb Thielbar (W)	1.1 IP	1 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	21% CSW
Hoby Milner (HLD)	1.0 IP	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	36% CSW
Daniel Palencia (SV)	1.0 IP	0 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	38% CSW

Great stuff from Daniel Palencia here, and he didn’t even throw a slider. He seems committed to making that splitter work against lefties, and I love that.

Cleveland Guardians
Tim Herrin	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	35% CSW
Connor Brogdon (L)	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	26% CSW
Peyton Pallette	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	47% CSW

Tim Herrin only threw one fastball (sinker) here and got great results. That’s probably the key for him.

Chicago Cubs
Ben Brown (BS)	2.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	2 BB	1 Whiffs	24% CSW
Jacob Webb (L)	0.1 IP	3 ER	3 H	1 BB	2 Whiffs	25% CSW
Ethan Roberts	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 Whiffs	31% CSW

Ben Brown had no fastball command here, and yeah, I’m just not sure this is going to work out.

Cleveland Guardians
Matt Festa	1.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	38% CSW
Erik Sabrowski	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	21% CSW
Shawn Armstrong (W)	1.1 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	17% CSW
Cade Smith (SV)	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	2 BB	2 K	6 Whiffs	33% CSW

Another shaky outing for Cade Smith, who did not have his best fastball here (stuff and command-wise). I don’t think he is in any danger of losing his job here, but Hunter Gaddis returns soon, and Erik Sabrowski has legit closer stuff, so he probably needs to figure things out sooner than later.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Alex Vesia	1.0 IP	1 H	1 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	24% CSW
Jack Dreyer (W)	1.0 IP	0 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	31% CSW
Tanner Scott (HLD)	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	27% CSW
Edwin Díaz (SV)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	31% CSW

This trio of lefties that the Dodgers can roll out is quite unfair, especially when it leads to Edwin Díaz. Still waiting on Díaz velocity to come back, but he was able to live off his slider in this one.

Washington Nationals
PJ Poulin	2.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	2 K	1 Whiffs	29% CSW
Cionel Pérez (L)	0.0 IP	4 ER	3 H	2 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	20% CSW
Clayton Beeter (BS)	1.2 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	20% CSW
Andre Granillo	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	12% CSW

Cionel Pérez was clearly tipping his pitches yesterday and couldn’t locate anything, but if he can fix those two things, he could be alright (in all seriousness, the curveball can be great).
Clayton Beeter’s command has been a huge surprise so far for me, and I’m gaining more trust in him by the day. He should be the team’s closer, I just don’t know how they can get a lead to him in the ninth.

Baltimore Orioles
Cade Povich	5.2 IP	2 ER	4 H	3 BB	2 K	9 Whiffs	28% CSW
Yennier Cano	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	43% CSW

Cade Povich gave the Orioles some much-needed innings today.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Mason Montgomery	1.0 IP	1 ER	3 H	0 BB	3 K	6 Whiffs	36% CSW
José Urquidy	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	3 K	6 Whiffs	42% CSW

The three hits aside, this might be a step in the right direction for Mason Montgomery. The fastball command was better than it usual is, but the three singles (two were bad luck) came off fastballs that were too close to the middle of the plate or down in the zone.

San Diego Padres
Kyle Hart	2.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	25% CSW
Bradgley Rodriguez (HLD)	1.2 IP	1 ER	3 H	0 BB	2 K	6 Whiffs	36% CSW
Wandy Peralta (BS)	0.1 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	20% CSW
Jeremiah Estrada (W)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	31% CSW
Mason Miller (SV)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	3 K	6 Whiffs	58% CSW

This line is not indicative of how Jeremiah Estrada actually looked, as his fastball sat at just 94.4 MPH here. I’m a bit worried there may be something physical going on here, as he’s still down over 3 MPH. The command isn’t even improving that much.

Boston Red Sox
Greg Weissert	1.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	3 K	4 Whiffs	28% CSW
Tyler Uberstine (L)	2.2 IP	1 ER	3 H	1 BB	2 K	8 Whiffs	36% CSW
Danny Coulombe	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	50% CSW
Zack Kelly	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	12% CSW

Greg Weissert remains wildly frustrating, and I really am not sure he needs to be throwing 6 different pitches like he is now.

Miami Marlins
Andrew Nardi	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW
Chris Paddack	4.2 IP	0 ER	3 H	4 BB	4 K	11 Whiffs	33% CSW
John King (W)	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	40% CSW
Calvin Faucher (HLD)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	26% CSW
Anthony Bender (SV)	1.0 IP	2 ER	1 H	3 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	26% CSW

Anthony Bender made things interesting in the ninth as he had no fastball/slider command and was just leaving sweepers over the plate. The stuffs great, but Andrew Nardi and Calvin Faucher should be the top setup options for Pete Fairbanks (when he returns).

New York Yankees
Fernando Cruz (HLD)	0.2 IP	1 ER	0 H	1 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	44% CSW
Jake Bird (L)	0.0 IP	3 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	20% CSW
Ryan Yarbrough	1.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	3 K	3 Whiffs	48% CSW

I know the Yankees bullpen was short-staffed yesterday, but you shouldn’t be trusting Jake Bird in these situations.

Tampa Bay Rays
Griffin Jax	2.0 IP	2 H	1 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	17% CSW
Bryan Baker (W)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	43% CSW
Kevin Kelly (SV)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	32% CSW

The good news is that Griffin Jax didn’t allow a run over two innings here. The bad news is he entered in the 7th inning and also didn’t strike anyone out. The command was a little bit better, but his fastballs sitting under 96 MPH could be an issue, especially without great command. I still think he will be fine, but this continues to be frustrating.
Bryan Baker, on the other hand, is locked in right now and continues to get traditional closer usage, as he should. His command wasn’t great yesterday either, but he does have three plus pitches to combat lefties and righties alike, so he may make the most sense as the closer. I think with a healthy bullpen, Jax and Baker are the 8th and 9th inning guys, Cleavinger is your lefty, and Uceta is the fireman/multi-inning stopper who finishes the 5th or 6th inning and starts the next one.

Minnesota Twins
Kody Funderburk	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	67% CSW
Cole Sands	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	38% CSW
Justin Topa (L)	0.1 IP	2 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW
Taylor Rogers	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	11% CSW

Cole Sands being the only reliever in this bullpen to generate a whiff checks out, and honestly, even his stuff is not that intriguing right now.

Toronto Blue Jays
Austin Voth	2.2 IP	1 ER	3 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	20% CSW
Joe Mantiply	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	3 K	4 Whiffs	35% CSW
Spencer Miles	2.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	33% CSW

Look at All-Star Joe Mantiply making his return here with 3 K’s over 1.1 innings. He’s sitting around 87 MPH right now, though, so I think we can avoid even in the deepest of holds leagues for now.

Chicago White Sox
Bryan Hudson (HLD)	0.2 IP	2 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	26% CSW
Jordan Leasure (HLD)	1.1 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	26% CSW
Chris Murphy (SV)	1.0 IP	0 H	1 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	33% CSW

Chris Murphy getting the save here is interesting, but there’s really nothing to see here as Seranthony Domínguez was off, and Grant Taylor continues to open every game.

Milwaukee Brewers
Grant Anderson (HLD)	0.2 IP	2 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	25% CSW
Abner Uribe (HLD)	0.1 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	36% CSW
Angel Zerpa (HLD)	1.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	35% CSW
Trevor Megill (SV)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	25% CSW

We are now getting into D+ territory for Abner Uribe stuff-wise, as his fastball velocity was below 97 MPH here. Not ready to panic yet, but it seems the team feels better about Angel Zerpa as the next in line closer option at this point.

Kansas City Royals
Nick Mears	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	14% CSW
Matt Strahm	1.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	21% CSW
Steven Cruz	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	31% CSW
Lucas Erceg	1.0 IP	2 ER	3 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	13% CSW

Lucas Erceg did not have his best command in this one, but the fastball looked a bit better, at 97.5 MPH, which is right on target with where he was last year, but not at 99 MPH, where it needs to be for it to be a quality pitch. It’s mostly empty velocity given the poor shape.

Cincinnati Reds
Pierce Johnson	0.2 IP	0 H	1 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	25% CSW
Sam Moll (W)	0.1 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW
Connor Phillips (HLD)	1.0 IP	1 H	1 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	21% CSW
Brock Burke (SV)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	3 K	6 Whiffs	57% CSW

The Reds giving Brock Burke his chance at a revenge game is a fun storyline, especially considering he threw the inning of his life. Connor Phillips is still the better long-term closer target should anything happen with the current late-inning trio. But also, if we can get this same fastball from Burke every game he pitches in (97 MPH, 19″ iVB), he’s going to be a problem for opposing hitters.

Texas Rangers
Jacob Latz	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	37% CSW
Cole Winn	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	50% CSW
Robert Garcia (L)	0.1 IP	1 ER	1 H	2 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	25% CSW
Chris Martin	1.1 IP	0 ER	3 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	23% CSW
Jalen Beeks	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	50% CSW

Robert Garcia had no fastball command here, and it’s unfortunate timing because this bullpen desperately needs someone to step up and take this closer role. If I had to bet long term, I still like Garcia slightly more than Cole Winn at this point. Winn looks a lot better this season, throwing his sinker less and splitter more. I’m just not sure we can trust Chris Martin anymore.

Philadelphia Phillies
Tim Mayza	1.0 IP	1 K	3 Whiffs	31% CSW
Tanner Banks	1.0 IP	1 K	1 Whiffs	12% CSW
Kyle Backhus	1.0 IP	2 K	2 Whiffs	25% CSW

Good job by the secondary lefties in this bullpen to keep the game close for three innings.

Colorado Rockies
Jaden Hill (HLD)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 K	0 Whiffs	20% CSW
Brennan Bernardino (HLD)	1.0 IP	0 H	2 K	2 Whiffs	36% CSW
Victor Vodnik (SV)	1.0 IP	2 H	3 K	4 Whiffs	27% CSW

Hey three strikeouts and a save for Victor Vodnik here, we’ll take it even with the two hits mixed in. He was able to locate his fastball here, and that’s more often than not the key to his success.

Houston Astros
Steven Okert	0.1 IP	2 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	11% CSW
AJ Blubaugh	2.0 IP	4 ER	5 H	2 BB	1 K	6 Whiffs	25% CSW
Christian Roa	0.2 IP	0 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	11% CSW
Bryan King	1.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	26% CSW
Bryan Abreu (L)	0.1 IP	2 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	12% CSW

Not sure what happened to AJ Blubaugh here, but the stuff just disappeared? Maybe it’s just the Sacramento effect, but this version of Blubaugh is not interesting.
I get all the panic around Bryan Abreu right now, but I actually feel a little bit better about him after his last couple of outings, including this one. He allowed the infield single in the ninth inning (that Altuve and Díaz made an incredible play on to get the runner at the plate) before walking the leadoff man in the 10th, which, with the ghost runner, is not the worst thing. He couldn’t command his four-seamer, and the one that did find the plate was grooved to Brent Rooker in a 2-0 count, and that will rarely end well for any pitcher. His slider still looks great, and at least we got the fastball velocity back in the 96 MPH range. Now he just needs to shore up his command with it.

Athletics
Justin Sterner	1.1 IP	0 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	23% CSW
J.T. Ginn (BS)	1.1 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	22% CSW
Scott Barlow	0.0 IP	4 ER	2 H	2 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	6% CSW
Mark Leiter Jr. Jr. (BS)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	23% CSW
Hogan Harris	1.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	2 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	33% CSW
Elvis Alvarado (W)	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	25% CSW

Sacramento may be more worth avoiding than Colorado at this point. I don’t trust anyone in this bullpen right now (maybe Elvis Alvarado one day).

New York Mets
Huascar Brazobán (W)	1.1 IP	0 H	0 K	0 Whiffs	10% CSW
Luke Weaver (HLD)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	25% CSW
Devin Williams (SV)	1.0 IP	2 H	1 K	3 Whiffs	29% CSW

Not going to panic after this one, but I don’t love seeing Devin Williams at 93 MPH with his fastball. It’s already a dicey offering to begin with, and his changeup has also gained some velocity this year, so that gap between the two pitches is shrinking. Worth keeping an eye on over the next few weeks.

San Francisco Giants
Keaton Winn (L)	0.1 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	12% CSW
Erik Miller (BS)	0.2 IP	2 ER	3 H	0 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	38% CSW
JT Brubaker	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	11% CSW

This should cool off the Keaton Winn hype. I know we are all trying to find that next man up here, being Ryan Walker, and it still could be Winn, or it could be Caleb Kilian, or maybe it’s Joel Peguero when he returns. Not one of those options is an ideal closer candidate at the time being, though, and Winn with his splitter will be volatile, Kilian’s stuff kind of depends on the day and how much rest he’s had, and Peguero is still hurt and was not exactly a bat-missing machine last year anyway. If Kilian is healthy, he might be the best bet, but I still want to see if Peguero throws his slider more.

Seattle Mariners
Jose A. Ferrer	1.0 IP	2 ER	4 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	26% CSW
Cole Wilcox	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	35% CSW
Casey Legumina	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	23% CSW
Andrés Muñoz	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	6 Whiffs	44% CSW
Matt Brash (BS)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	30% CSW
Gabe Speier (L)	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	33% CSW

I think the lefties here will be fine, well Jose A. Ferrer at least. I still want to see more offspeed. Gabe Speier’s stuff has been consistently in the D range since the start of spring training (and the WBC), which has me a bit more worried for him.
Cole Wilcox has a wicked slider. I’m not sure he has the fastball to back it up, but maybe if he can command it at 97 MPH, that will be more than enough. I could see him taking over Eduard Bazardo’s role.
Andrés Muñoz had a bit of a health scare here with the trainer coming out during his outing, but he stayed in and finished the inning, and the stuff looked fine to me. Seems like everything is fine.

Los Angeles Angels
Ryan Zeferjahn	2.0 IP	2 ER	0 H	1 BB	5 K	10 Whiffs	60% CSW
Brent Suter (BS)	2.1 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	3 K	7 Whiffs	34% CSW
Sam Bachman (BS)	2.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	2 K	7 Whiffs	32% CSW
Shaun Anderson (W)	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	22% CSW

Today was a nice reminder of how talented Ryan Zeferjahn is, as his sweeper was just dominating in this one. He also has a good four-seamer (at times) and slider/cutter.
We were so close to getting a Sam Bachman save here, but regardless, he still looked awesome, and that changeup was a nice surprise.

Atlanta Braves
Tyler Kinley	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	16% CSW
Dylan Lee	1.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	17% CSW
Robert Suarez	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	3 K	6 Whiffs	64% CSW
Raisel Iglesias	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	21% CSW
Joel Payamps (L)	0.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW

Better stuff from Robert Suarez today, sitting 99 MPH with his fastball and mixing in some filthy changeups.
This was pretty good from Raisel Iglesias as well, who has abandoned his slider and basically looks like a slightly worse version of Suarez at this point. Will be interesting to see how things play out.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Taylor Clarke	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	24% CSW
Ryan Thompson (BS)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	29% CSW
Kevin Ginkel (HLD)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	46% CSW
Jonathan Loáisiga (BS)	1.0 IP	1 ER	3 H	0 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	32% CSW
Taylor Rashi (W)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	22% CSW

We almost got a second save from Jonathan Loáisiga this week, who got singled out in this one. I’m still in on him as one of the team’s top two setup men.

St. Louis Cardinals
George Soriano (HLD)	0.1 IP	1 ER	1 H	2 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	16% CSW
JoJo Romero (HLD)	1.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	16% CSW
Ryne Stanek (HLD)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	30% CSW
Riley O’Brien (SV)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	31% CSW

This late-inning trio has seemed to find its groove, and right now, it looks like Riley O’Brien is the preferred 9th-inning man. This was probably the best Ryne Stanek has looked, command-wise at least, but O’Brien right now is safer.

Detroit Tigers
Enmanuel De Jesus	2.2 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	3 K	4 Whiffs	29% CSW
Connor Seabold	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	2 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	23% CSW

Enmanuel De Jesus has been impressive since his WBC breakout, and I think there may be even more here than just a long relief/mop-up guy. This four-seam, cutter, changeup mix from the left side could play in the later innings.

If you’re looking for potential relievers to stream today, check out RP Streamers

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 4/5

Rick Graham

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 4/5

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