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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 6/28

A Review of Key Bullpen and Reliever Usage from Yesterday's Games

Rick Graham

RP Roundup 3 Hours Ago

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

WSN 6 – BAL 4

Washington Nationals
Mitchell Parker – HLD (7)	1.2 IP	2 ER	2 H	1 BB	2 K	6 Whiffs	38% CSW
Richard Lovelady – HLD (9)	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
PJ Poulin – SV (3)	2.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	24% CSW

Ayyy, no blown saves, that’s nice to see. PJ Poulin getting two-inning saves is…well, that says something about the Orioles offense.

Baltimore Orioles
Tyler Wells	1.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	38% CSW
Albert Suárez	3.0 IP	1 ER	3 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	22% CSW
Grant Wolfram	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	44% CSW

Grant Wolfram looks like he’s rounding into form lately, but will we ever see the same guy from April again?

CIN 4 – PIT 9

Cincinnati Reds
Julian Garcia	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	3 BB	2 K	6 Whiffs	27% CSW
Zach McCambley	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	3 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	7% CSW
Brock Burke	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	11% CSW
Pierce Johnson	0.2 IP	4 ER	2 H	2 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	26% CSW

Blegh. At least Pagan is back this week.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Carmen Mlodzinski – HLD (1)	2.0 IP	0 ER	3 H	1 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	21% CSW
Dennis Santana	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	26% CSW

Still waiting for Carmen Mlodzinski to settle into a relief role.

TEX 3 – TOR 2

Texas Rangers
Cole Winn – W (3)	2.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	25% CSW
Tyler Alexander – SV (4)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	40% CSW

That’s back-to-back saves for Tyler Alexander, but don’t expect this to become a regular thing, even when Latz needs a day off.

Toronto Blue Jays
Adam Macko	1.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	2 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	24% CSW
Jeff Hoffman	1.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	29% CSW
Louis Varland – L (3)	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	3 K	4 Whiffs	30% CSW

Louis Varland gave up a double here to Jung, with the pinch-runner (Kelenic) scoring on a wild pitch, all the way from second, as Varland spiked a changeup in front of the plate that bounced off Kirk’s mask. Nothing at all to be concerned about.

HOU 7 – DET 5

Houston Astros
Bryan Abreu	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	7% CSW
Steven Okert	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW
Bryan King	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	38% CSW
Josh Hader – W (2)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	3 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	21% CSW
Enyel De Los Santos	1.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	28% CSW

Josh Hader’s velocity was a concern the last two times out. Here, we saw a severe lack of command, with 10/29 pitches being located in the zone.

Detroit Tigers
Tyler Holton – HLD (8)	1.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	10% CSW
Kyle Finnegan – BS (5)	1.1 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	3 K	1 Whiffs	15% CSW
Kenley Jansen – L (4)	1.1 IP	3 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	18% CSW
Jacob Waguespack	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW

Kenley Jansen didn’t have his best stuff or command in the second inning of this outing here, and he’s probably best suited for just one inning of work, no matter what, at this point in his career.

SEA 5 – CLE 6

Seattle Mariners
Eduard Bazardo – HLD (17)	0.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	20% CSW
Gabe Speier – HLD (11)	1.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	8% CSW
Michael Rucker – L (1)	0.1 IP	4 ER	2 H	2 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	14% CSW
Josh Simpson – BS (1)	0.2 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	17% CSW

Ugh, this is a bit of a setback for Michael Rucker, I suppose. Stuff is still there; the command was just not great here.

Cleveland Guardians
Shawn Armstrong	0.2 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	39% CSW
Tim Herrin	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	12% CSW
Matt Festa – W (2)	1.1 IP	0 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	15% CSW
Cade Smith – SV (26)	1.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	10% CSW

Slightly better command from Cade Smith here, and that’s back-to-back games with no sweepers from him. Something feels off here with Smith lately, and this didn’t exactly alleviate that feeling.

ARI 1 – TBR 5

Arizona Diamondbacks
Jonathan Loáisiga	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	42% CSW
Drey Jameson	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	29% CSW

Some better velocity from Drey Jameson here, as the stuff and pitch mix here looked much better than what we had been saying. Hopefully he can build off this.

Tampa Bay Rays
Craig Kimbrel	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	20% CSW
Garrett Cleavinger	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	44% CSW
Trevor Martin	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	43% CSW

Trevor Martin was throwing harder here, but the secondaries aren’t exciting.

PHI 5 – NYM 4

Philadelphia Phillies
Chase Shugart – BS (1)	0.1 IP	3 ER	3 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	40% CSW
Kyle Backhus – W (1)	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW
José Alvarado – HLD (9)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW
Orion Kerkering – HLD (7)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	3 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	22% CSW
Jhoan Duran – SV (21)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	15% CSW

Orion Kerkering had no command here, so he’s lucky to escape this without a run allowed. Just 6/27 pitches were in the zone in this one.

New York Mets
Tobias Myers	3.0 IP	3 ER	6 H	0 BB	3 K	7 Whiffs	25% CSW
Kodai Senga – L (7)	5.0 IP	2 ER	4 H	1 BB	4 K	11 Whiffs	24% CSW

Meh, the starter-turned-reliever duo for the Mets doesn’t look particularly impressive these days.

COL 2 – MIN 3

Colorado Rockies
Seth Halvorsen – L (1)	0.2 IP	1 ER	3 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	7% CSW
Brennan Bernardino	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	67% CSW
Juan Mejia	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	31% CSW

Nope

Minnesota Twins
Andrew Morris – W (4)	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW
Anthony Banda – HLD (10)	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	36% CSW
Yoendrys Gómez – SV (8)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW

Good work from this trio again, and Yoendrys Gómez only needed four pitches to get through this one, hence the lack of swing and miss numbers.

KCR 5 – CHW 4

Kansas City Royals
Steven Cruz – W (2)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	5 Whiffs	45% CSW
Beck Way – HLD (1)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	14% CSW
Lucas Erceg – HLD (3)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	28% CSW
Matt Strahm – HLD (10)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	22% CSW
Alex Lange – SV (7)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	20% CSW

Alex Lange showed some increased velocity here and didn’t even need the slider to get through this one. He did give up some hard-hit balls in the inning, though, including a 108 MPH groundball off his leg.

Chicago White Sox
Trevor Richards	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	44% CSW
Seranthony Domínguez	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	6 Whiffs	44% CSW
Bryan Hudson	1.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	20% CSW
Jordan Hicks	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	38% CSW
Chris Murphy	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	29% CSW

Seranthony Domínguez stuff looked great here, but pitching in the sixth inning down a run is not something to get excited about.
Jordan Hicks sinker usage was down 31% as we saw more four-seam/sweeper usage from him, and I dig it if that sticks.

CHC 4 – MIL 3

Chicago Cubs
Bryse Wilson	4.1 IP	0 ER	4 H	0 BB	4 K	5 Whiffs	38% CSW
Caleb Thielbar	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	44% CSW
Tyler Ferguson	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	50% CSW
Jacob Webb – W (3)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	3 K	6 Whiffs	52% CSW
Ethan Roberts	0.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	11% CSW
Jordan Wicks – SV (1)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	18% CSW

Jacob Webb worked through a hit and a walk but three strikeouts here as the swing and miss has not gone anywhere at least.

Milwaukee Brewers
Aaron Ashby – BS (4)	0.2 IP	1 ER	1 H	2 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
Abner Uribe	1.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	29% CSW
Trevor Megill	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	3 K	4 Whiffs	32% CSW
Joel Kuhnel – L (3)	1.0 IP	2 ER	1 H	2 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	23% CSW

Trevor Megill’s velocity has been better lately as he’s turned into one of the best relievers in baseball over the past month.

MIA 1 – STL 2

St. Louis Cardinals
JoJo Romero – HLD (19)	1.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	47% CSW
Ryne Stanek – HLD (14)	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	30% CSW
George Soriano – HLD (11)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	42% CSW
Riley O’Brien – SV (20)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	33% CSW

Much better command from Riley O’Brien here than we’ve seen from him lately. Hopefully, he can keep it going.

ATH 1 – LAA 4

Athletics
Elvis Alvarado	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	50% CSW
José Suarez	2.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	33% CSW

I don’t love seeing Elvis Alvarado in the 6th inning of a game they are trailing by three runs, but at least he looked great and posted this line.

Los Angeles Angels
José Fermin – HLD (4)	2.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	31% CSW
Ryan Zeferjahn – HLD (6)	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	26% CSW
Samy Natera Jr. – SV (1)	1.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	38% CSW

OK, Samy Natera Jr, why not get him into the mix for saves here? The stuff’s not too far off from a Sabrowski or Latz; we just need some consistent command.

ATL 2 – SFG 3

Atlanta Braves
Didier Fuentes	0.1 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	6% CSW
Dylan Lee	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	86% CSW
Tyler Kinley	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	33% CSW

Didier Fuentes velocity was way down again here, and I’m hoping there’s nothing injury-related here, perhaps just fatigue for the young pitcher. Worth monitoring though.

LAD 4 – SDP 2

Los Angeles Dodgers
Alex Vesia – HLD (13)	0.2 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	42% CSW
Will Klein – HLD (11)	1.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	36% CSW
Tanner Scott – HLD (6)	1.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	47% CSW
Edgardo Henriquez – SV (1)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	9% CSW

We saw Tanner Scott enter in the seventh to face Merrill with a runner on, and that’s the type of luxury the Dodgers can afford now that they can trust guys like Edgardo Henriquez in the ninth.

San Diego Padres
Yuki Matsui	1.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	8 Whiffs	36% CSW
Jason Adam	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	7% CSW
Wandy Peralta	2.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	1 Whiffs	23% CSW

Eight whiffs for Yuki Matsui catch your eye (and zero from Jason Adam…), but he’s still not seeing usage that will result in holds.

NYY 4 – BOS 5

New York Yankees
Paul Blackburn	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	36% CSW
David Bednar	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	21% CSW
Fernando Cruz – L (3)	0.1 IP	2 ER	3 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	30% CSW

15 fastballs, 15 splitters, and just 3 curveballs from David Bednar is exactly what we are looking for.

Boston Red Sox
Tyron Guerrero – HLD (6)	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	11% CSW
Aroldis Chapman – BS (2)	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	26% CSW
Justin Slaten – W (1)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	25% CSW

Another shaky outing from Aroldis Chapman, but nothing looks wrong from a stuff standpoint at least, and the command wasn’t exactly terrible.

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

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

Rick Graham

Rick resides in the Boston area and has experience as a player and coach at the collegiate level. He has been covering relievers for Pitcher List since 2017.

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