Fantasy Baseball Reliever Roundup

Welcome to the RP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every reliever performance from the previous day.

NYM 4 – COL 2

New York Mets
Austin Warren	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	3 K	4 Whiffs	42% CSW
David Peterson – W (1)	4.0 IP	2 ER	3 H	6 K	8 Whiffs	25% CSW
Craig Kimbrel – HLD (1)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 K	3 Whiffs	27% CSW
Devin Williams – SV (4)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 K	3 Whiffs	50% CSW

Devin Williams didn’t have his best stuff (it’s Coors), but he did locate exceptionally well

Colorado Rockies
Jaden Hill	0.2 IP	1 H	2 K	4 Whiffs	55% CSW
Juan Mejia	2.0 IP	0 H	5 K	4 Whiffs	43% CSW
Brennan Bernardino	1.0 IP	0 H	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW

Juan Mejia is so frustratingly inconsistent. That being said, his past 9.1 IP have been really impressive (1.59 xFIP/1.71 SIERA, 41% K, 35% CSW rates), but is it possible for him to go four games (or more) in a row without allowing runs?

BOS 5 – DET 4

Boston Red Sox
Garrett Whitlock – HLD (6)	1.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	1 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	31% CSW
Aroldis Chapman – SV (7)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	38% CSW

Speaking of frustrating, this start to the season for Garrett Whitlock has been annoying to say the least. The stuff looks great lately, the command just wasn’t in this one. I still would bet on him figuring things out, but these aren’t the ratios we signed up for.

Detroit Tigers
Ty Madden	5.0 IP	0 ER	4 H	0 BB	7 K	11 Whiffs	28% CSW
Ricky Vanasco – L (1)	0.2 IP	4 ER	3 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	24% CSW
Enmanuel De Jesús	1.1 IP	1 ER	3 H	1 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	34% CSW
Kenley Jansen	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	20% CSW

It looks like Kenley Jansen is healthy or healthy enough, I suppose, as he threw 10 pitches here. The velo was down at 91.4 MPH on his cutter, which isn’t ideal, but as long as he’s feeling good today, this should be considered a positive.

TOR 1 – TBR 5

Toronto Blue Jays
Spencer Miles	1.1 IP	2 ER	3 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
Mason Fluharty	0.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	50% CSW
Tommy Nance	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	31% CSW
Joe Mantiply	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	18% CSW

Mason Fluharty gave up another bloop single in this one, and for someone with elite hard hit and swing and miss rates, I’d expect that .387 BABIP to come back down to earth (or at least closer to his .236 number from last season).

Tampa Bay Rays
Ian Seymour – HLD (8)	1.1 IP	2 H	1 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	25% CSW
Kevin Kelly	0.2 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	29% CSW
Cole Sulser	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	30% CSW
Casey Legumina	0.2 IP	3 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	24% CSW
Bryan Baker – SV (9)	0.1 IP	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	33% CSW

Those rostering Bryan Baker can thank Casey Legumina for providing you with a cheap save here. I have no concerns with Baker moving forward, but I do have some concerns about getting the ball to him in teh ninth consistently. Edwin Uceta being healthy would definitely help lengthen this pen.

PHI 1 – MIA 0

Philadelphia Phillies
Tanner Banks – HLD (2)	1.0 IP	0 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	28% CSW
José Alvarado – HLD (5)	1.0 IP	0 H	1 K	3 Whiffs	50% CSW
Brad Keller – SV (2)	1.0 IP	2 H	0 K	0 Whiffs	20% CSW

Brad Keller aired it out here in his final game as the Phillies closer, sitting 98-99 MPH with his fastball. He allowed some hard contact to the middle of the Marlins lineup, but got a double play in the middle of things to help preserve the win.

Miami Marlins
John King	0.2 IP	0 H	0 K	0 Whiffs	20% CSW
Calvin Faucher	1.0 IP	1 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW
Lake Bachar	2.0 IP	1 H	1 K	3 Whiffs	21% CSW

It’s hard to get a read on this bullpen and who has what role, but it looks to be clear that there will not be a set interim closer with Pete Fairbanks out. I also want to point out, I know the Marlins have starting pitching depth even after DFA’ing Chris Paddack (who should begin this transition to reliever), but why not give Lake Bachar a look as a starter? The command isn’t great, but he’s got five plus or better pitches, and he’s already throwing 30-40 pitches an outing typically.

BAL 1 – NYY 12

Baltimore Orioles
Yennier Cano	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
Keegan Akin	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 Whiffs	29% CSW
Lou Trivino	0.2 IP	6 ER	4 H	3 BB	2 Whiffs	19% CSW
Weston Wilson	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 Whiffs	0% CSW

Keegan Akin has looked better the last couple of times out, which is good to see. The fastball looked much better here.
I don’t understand why the Orioles felt the need to sign Lou Trivino, but umm, they should probably fix that (you’re telling me he’s a better option than Tyler Wells right now?).

New York Yankees
Jake Bird – HLD (4)	0.1 IP	0 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	50% CSW
Tim Hill	1.0 IP	1 H	2 K	1 Whiffs	42% CSW
Camilo Doval	1.0 IP	1 H	1 K	3 Whiffs	50% CSW
Paul Blackburn	1.0 IP	1 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	18% CSW

Camilo Doval sitting 99 MPH with his cutter is nice, although somehow, Taveras turned on one up and in to him, but other than that, this was great.

CIN 4 – CHC 5

Cincinnati Reds
Brock Burke	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
Graham Ashcraft	1.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	3 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	36% CSW
Emilio Pagán – L (1)	0.2 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	31% CSW

This probably puts Emilio Pagán squarely on the hot seat, but luckily for him, the alternatives in that Reds bullpen haven’t exactly been dominant lately either. The triple to PCA was a terrible pitch (splitter up in the zone), but it also probably should have been caught. The HR to Conforto caught too much of the plate also. Maybe it’s best if the Reds go more matchup-based, avoiding Pagán against heavy left-handed pockets for Brock Burke or even Sam Moll?

Chicago Cubs
Hoby Milner	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	25% CSW
Phil Maton	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW
Ben Brown	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	28% CSW
Ryan Rolison – W (2)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	3 K	1 Whiffs	43% CSW

OK Ryan Rolison, I see you here. Unfortunately, this was not as great as the box score suggests: he left six of his eight strikes middle-middle, and not one of those pitches was swung at.

CLE 2 – KCR 6

Cleveland Guardians
Matt Festa	1.2 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	21% CSW
Connor Brogdon	1.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	25% CSW
Peyton Pallette	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW

Matt Festa tried to sneak a fastball by Caglianone here and got burned, but other than that, he looked solid. The “four-seamer” and sweeper are a great duo, just need the command to lock in.

Kansas City Royals
Matt Strahm	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	29% CSW
Alex Lange	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	11% CSW

Matt Strahm has career low K and SwStr rates right now, but he’s still been effective, more or less.

MIL 3 – STL 6

Milwaukee Brewers
DL Hall	1.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	6 Whiffs	46% CSW
Shane Drohan	1.1 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	26% CSW
Grant Anderson	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW
Jake Woodford	1.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	36% CSW

Shane Drohan still looks promising as a reliever, with his deep arsenal.

St. Louis Cardinals
George Soriano – HLD (5)	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW
JoJo Romero – HLD (10)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	25% CSW
Ryne Stanek	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	57% CSW
Gordon Graceffo	0.1 IP	2 ER	3 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	9% CSW
Riley O’Brien – SV (10)	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	33% CSW

Appreciate Gordon Graceffo giving Riley O’Brien a save chance here, as O’Brien only needed to throw 3 sinkers to get an easy save here. O’Brien is the second reliever to reach 10 saves this season, just as we imagined back in March.

LAD 8 – HOU 3

Los Angeles Dodgers
Kyle Hurt	1.0 IP	0 H	1 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	41% CSW
Blake Treinen	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	3 K	3 Whiffs	41% CSW
Jack Dreyer	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	47% CSW

Blake Treinen mixing in this cutter more often seems to be working, and he remains one of the toughest pitchers for right-handed batters to hit (especially when he’s pitching anywhere other than Coors).

Houston Astros
Ryan Weiss – L (3)	4.1 IP	6 ER	8 H	4 BB	5 K	8 Whiffs	29% CSW
Kai-Wei Teng	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	23% CSW
Bryan Abreu	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	3 K	3 Whiffs	44% CSW
Bennett Sousa	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	38% CSW

OK, we FINALLY may have something to get excited about with Bryan Abreu. The velo was up (sat 96 MPH, topped out at 97), the slider held a 778% CSW rate, and the command was much, much better (not perfect, but improved for sure). That being said, the double Abreu allowed to Smith would have been a HR in half of MLB parks, and the fastball command is still not great but this is definitely progress. Hopefully, he can build off this.

CHW 6 – LAA 0

Chicago White Sox
Sean Newcomb	2.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	4 K	4 Whiffs	57% CSW

It’s the Angels, but still good to see Sean Newcomb dominate them as his stuff was way up here (perhaps some revenge aspect here?).

Los Angeles Angels
Mitch Farris	4.0 IP	1 ER	7 H	0 BB	3 K	9 Whiffs	33% CSW
Brent Suter	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	27% CSW

Not a ton of interest in either of these lefties.

ATL 4 – SEA 5

Atlanta Braves
Tyler Kinley – L (2)	1.0 IP	2 ER	1 H	1 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	35% CSW
Aaron Bummer	0.2 IP	0 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	29% CSW
Carlos Carrasco	1.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	26% CSW

Tyler Kinley is likely to slide down the depth chart with Raisel Iglesias returning, but could still factor in to holds here and there. He’s far from must roster territory, though, as long as Iglesias, Dylan Lee, and Robert Suarez are healthy.

Seattle Mariners
Jose A. Ferrer – HLD (3)	1.1 IP	1 H	1 K	4 Whiffs	38% CSW
Eduard Bazardo – HLD (5)	0.2 IP	1 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	18% CSW
Andrés Muñoz – SV (7)	1.0 IP	1 H	2 K	3 Whiffs	50% CSW

Andrés Muñoz threw 12 sliders to 2 fastballs here, with the four-seamer getting hit hard for a single. I don’t love the approach, or at least I wouldn’t love it for anyone not named Andrés Muñoz. It could certainly work for him, as hitters will always need to be aware of that 98-99 MPH fastball still.

SDP 2 – SFG 3

San Diego Padres
Kyle Hart	0.1 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	40% CSW
Bradgley Rodriguez	1.1 IP	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	19% CSW
Wandy Peralta	0.2 IP	1 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	8% CSW

Bradgley Rodriguez getting four outs and 0 whiffs is kind of crazy, especially considering some of the changeups he threw here. Nothing alarming, just one of those days.

San Francisco Giants
Keaton Winn – HLD (7)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW
Caleb Kilian – SV (1)	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	7 Whiffs	39% CSW

Caleb Kilian got the save chance tonight and could be the favorite for the ninth inning moving forward based on how Tony Vitello has talked about him recently. The HR to Laureano was a grooved fastball on a 2-2 count, but that mistake aside, he looked awesome afterward with 7 Whiffs (3 on the slider, 1 on the curveball, and 3 on the fastball) as he struck out both Tatis and Machado in the inning. The upside makes him worth a spec add in most leagues as we wait and see how things play out in that bullpen.

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Also, if you’re looking for the detailed list or ranking of Relievers, check out my weekly RP Ranks

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 5/4

Rick Graham