Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 6/16

Miami Marlins
Lake Bachar	1.0 IP	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	36% CSW
Dax Fulton	2.0 IP	1 BB	2 K	7 Whiffs	26% CSW
John King	1.0 IP	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	44% CSW

I thought (was hoping) Lake Bachar might get a chance in the rotation, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.
Dax Fulton made his debut here, and there’s a lot to like with his curveball leading the way, but that four-seamer is also interesting with some glove-side run to it (cutter-ish) at 96 MPH. Is he going to get a chance to start?

Philadelphia Phillies
Tanner Banks	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
Max Lazar	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	50% CSW

Tanner Banks has been better lately and was throwing harder here, but the stuff is still average to below-average.

Kansas City Royals
Daniel Lynch IV – L (1)	1.0 IP	3 ER	2 H	2 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	31% CSW
Connor Seabold	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	17% CSW

This was just Daniel Lynch IV’s first loss of the season, but the signs of regression have been there for a while now (5.63 SIERA, 5.75 xFIP, -2.1% K-BB rate over the past month). The stuff was down here, the command was terrible, and I probably should have dropped him further down the holds list this week.

Washington Nationals
Orlando Ribalta – HLD (5)	0.1 IP	2 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	21% CSW
Richard Lovelady – BS (2)	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	8% CSW
Paxton Schultz – W (1)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	27% CSW
Gus Varland – SV (6)	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	22% CSW

Now Gus Varland is getting saves after he’s held an ERA above seven and a WHIP above two for the past month? Sure, why not, I guess.

Toronto Blue Jays
Jeff Hoffman	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	67% CSW
Tyler Rogers	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	24% CSW
Tommy Nance	0.2 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	38% CSW
Louis Varland – SV (13)	1.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	3 K	4 Whiffs	37% CSW

This is the first time this season the Varland brothers have had saves on the same night, within about 10 minutes of each other as well, so that is kind of cool.

Boston Red Sox
Tommy Kahnle	1.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	17% CSW
Greg Weissert	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	9% CSW
Ryan Watson	2.0 IP	2 ER	1 H	1 BB	1 K	6 Whiffs	35% CSW

Blegh

Chicago White Sox
Chris Murphy	0.2 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	2 K	10 Whiffs	44% CSW
Joe Rock	3.0 IP	0 ER	4 H	1 BB	4 K	7 Whiffs	33% CSW
Luisangel Acuña	1.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	20% CSW

Chris Murphy had 10 whiffs here on 27 pitches, which is impressive, but the command wasn’t great. A lot of talent from the left side in this bullpen, so Murphy is buried on the depth chart for now.

New York Yankees
Ryan Yarbrough – SV (2)	3.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	3 K	6 Whiffs	31% CSW

New York Mets
Cionel Pérez	1.0 IP	1 ER	3 H	0 BB	2 K	1 Whiffs	27% CSW
Austin Warren	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
Huascar Brazobán	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	60% CSW
Luke Weaver	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	3 K	5 Whiffs	46% CSW

Luke Weaver is still throwing harder than ever, as he averaged 96.6 MPH here again. The stuff has been excellent lately, as have been the results, as he has not allowed an earned run since April.

Cincinnati Reds
Sam Moll	1.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	1 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	38% CSW
Brock Burke – HLD (8)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	20% CSW
Tejay Antone – HLD (2)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	26% CSW
Tony Santillan – SV (4)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	6 Whiffs	45% CSW

Tony Santillan was sitting 96.3 MPH here, and this is now a completely different pitcher over the past four games. I’m thinking he’s back and should be higher in my rankings probably.

Cleveland Guardians
Colin Holderman	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 K	0 Whiffs	29% CSW
Hunter Gaddis – L (2)	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 K	0 Whiffs	23% CSW
Matt Festa	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	27% CSW

The Guardians need to reconsider Hunter Gaddis’s role right now since there are so many better options here at the moment. His velocity was down here, and he just doesn’t have a way to combat lefties. The slider he hung to Mitchell for the home run was not the only offspeed pitch he hung to a left-handed hitter.

Milwaukee Brewers
Joel Kuhnel – HLD (5)	0.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	27% CSW
Aaron Ashby – W (10)	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	2 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	39% CSW
Abner Uribe – HLD (8)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	28% CSW
c – SV (9)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	50% CSW

We are looking at mid-season form Trevor Megill now, as he was once again sitting at 99 MPH here. Elite stuff.

San Diego Padres
Yuki Matsui	1.1 IP	1 H	1 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	26% CSW
Ron Marinaccio	1.1 IP	1 H	1 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	23% CSW
Wandy Peralta	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	8% CSW

Meh

St. Louis Cardinals
Ryne Stanek – HLD (12)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	37% CSW
Riley O’Brien – SV (18)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	23% CSW

Riley O’Brien’s command is still an issue, and hitters are not biting anymore; he had to rely on his sweeper here for strikes. I don’t know what the answer is here outside of O’Brien, but I guess Ryne Stanek is lurking again (looked good in the eighth here).

Colorado Rockies
Blas Castano – W (1)	1.1 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	31% CSW
Brennan Bernardino – HLD (4)	1.0 IP	1 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	25% CSW
Victor Vodnik – HLD (2)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	38% CSW
Jaden Hill – SV (1)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	8% CSW

Just avoid.

Chicago Cubs
Ryan Rolison	1.2 IP	1 H	0 BB	3 K	4 Whiffs	29% CSW
Phil Maton	0.2 IP	2 H	1 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	39% CSW
Trent Thornton	1.1 IP	0 H	2 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	26% CSW
Gavin Hollowell	1.0 IP	0 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	22% CSW

Ryan Rolison doesn’t get much attention here, but he’s been throwing harder lately, and I don’t think it would be far-fetched to consider him as a potential interim closer with Palencia out. He should at least see some hold chances, I’d imagine.

Minnesota Twins
Travis Adams	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	3 K	6 Whiffs	54% CSW
Cody Laweryson	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	30% CSW

Travis Adams’ numbers looked good, and the velo was up… but the stuff is still average at best.

Texas Rangers
Cal Quantrill	0.2 IP	3 ER	3 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	35% CSW
Tyler Alexander	2.0 IP	0 ER	3 H	1 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	31% CSW
Joe Ross	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	25% CSW
Kyle Higashioka	1.0 IP	2 ER	3 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	15% CSW

Ugh, nothing here.

Detroit Tigers
Keider Montero – L (5)	1.1 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	30% CSW
Will Vest – BS (4)	0.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	33% CSW
Drew Sommers	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW

Will Vest allowed a single to Delgado here that went under the glove of Lee at second. The stuff was great, the command not so much, but I’m not worried about Vest right now. IF the Tigers do sell, that could mean Jansen gets dealt, and Vest is back in the closer role, so that’s something to keep in mind.

Houston Astros
Steven Okert	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	50% CSW
Enyel De Los Santos	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	33% CSW
Bryan King – W (2)	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	27% CSW
Josh Hader – SV (3)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	42% CSW

Josh Hader gave up his first hit of the season here and now has allowed one hit as well as one walk over six innings while striking out eight. He’s not pitching on back-to-back days yet, but that shouldn’t limit his value too much.

Los Angeles Angels
Kirby Yates	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	25% CSW
Chase Silseth	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	44% CSW

Kirby Yates got the bottom of the Diamondbacks lineup here with the team up seven, and that’s basically been his usage recently.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Ryan Thompson	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	36% CSW
Brandyn Garcia	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 K	4 Whiffs	40% CSW
Drey Jameson	2.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	3 K	9 Whiffs	52% CSW

Good to see Brandyn Garcia bounce back here, especially against all right-handed hitters. Interesting approach as his “slider” (it’s a cutter, right?) at 94 MPH basically acted as an elevated fastball for him here with the sweeper acting as the breaker.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Evan Sisk	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	33% CSW
Yohan Ramírez	0.2 IP	0 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	40% CSW
Mason Montgomery – W (2)	1.0 IP	0 H	1 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	29% CSW
Gregory Soto – SV (11)	1.0 IP	2 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	40% CSW

Gregory Soto gave up back-to-back singles to Kurtz and Langeliers before bearing down and striking out Soderstrom after starting 3-0 and getting Wilson to weakly line out on a fastball above his head. The past eleven innings for him have not been great (6.55 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 21.6% K), but there are no alternatives at the moment to threaten him for that closer role.

Athletics
Justin Sterner – HLD (12)	1.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	22% CSW
Hogan Harris – BS (3)	1.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	28% CSW
Mark Leiter Jr. Jr.	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	22% CSW
Elvis Alvarado – L (1)	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	19% CSW

This was a rough outing for Hogan Harris, whose velocity was way down while not having great command. That nearly 2 MPH velo decrease is something worth monitoring.
Elvis Alvarado looked more like his old self (bad command, velocity at 98) here than what we had been seeing from him lately (good command, 100+ MPH). The slider he threw to Lowe for the HR was one of the worst pitches you’ll see, so just be aware that Alvarado may not have actually turned a corner here. Still worth the speculative add (especially with Harris having issues), but just be willing to drop if this continues.

Baltimore Orioles
Grant Wolfram	0.1 IP	1 H	1 BB	1 Whiffs	20% CSW
Andrew Kittredge	0.2 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 Whiffs	50% CSW
Keegan Akin	1.0 IP	1 H	1 BB	4 Whiffs	25% CSW

I want to believe Keegan Akin’s luck will turn around soon, and the stuff looks fine for the most part, but he doesn’t have the type of upside needed to hang on to him through the low points. This bullpen needs to find a lefty they can trust, though.

Seattle Mariners
Eduard Bazardo – HLD (13)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	22% CSW
Andrés Muñoz – SV (11)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	29% CSW

I love this from Andrés Muñoz as he leaned on his fastball and just bullied hitters with 100 MPH heaters (velo was up 1.6 MPH). Regaining confidence in his fastball is going to be key for him if he wants to have a better second half. This was a great first step (and ignore the hit allowed, it was an infield dribbler against the shift).

Tampa Bay Rays
Cam Booser	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	29% CSW

Cam Booser may be the best lefty in this Rays bullpen right now, as Garrett Cleavinger continues to be volatile game to game. I don’t expect that to last, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing Booser get more leverage opportunities.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Will Klein – HLD (10)	1.0 IP	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	25% CSW
Kyle Hurt – HLD (6)	1.0 IP	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	70% CSW
Tanner Scott – SV (9)	1.0 IP	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	45% CSW

Kyle Hurt was throwing harder here and threw more sliders than changeups. I’m a bit worried he’s lost feel for that changeup lately.

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 6/16

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 6/16

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