Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 6/7

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

PIT 2 – ATL 3

Pittsburgh Pirates
Mason Montgomery	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	2 BB	2 K	1 Whiffs	24% CSW
Evan Sisk – BS (3)	1.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	31% CSW

Mason Montgomery played the opener role (again) and could not locate any of his offspeed pitches here. The fastball is still plus, but it has lost some velocity and some of the elite shape it once had as well. Still great stuff.

Atlanta Braves
Reynaldo López – W (3)	1.1 IP	1 H	1 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	33% CSW
Tyler Kinley – HLD (9)	0.2 IP	0 H	1 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	24% CSW
Didier Fuentes – SV (1)	1.0 IP	2 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	15% CSW

The Braves were without Iglesias, Lee, and I guess Suarez too in this one, so we got to see a rare Didier Fuentes save chance. He did not have his best stuff (fastball was down 1.1 MPH), but we did see some more sliders than usual from him. After his first pitch went for a double to Lowe, he was able to settle in and make things look fairly easy. We may not see any more saves from Fuentes, but he should be a big part of this bullpen moving forward.

CHW 5 – PHI 9

Chicago White Sox
David Sandlin	3.1 IP	3 ER	3 H	3 BB	6 K	11 Whiffs	22% CSW
Tyler Davis – L (3)	1.0 IP	3 ER	3 H	1 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	29% CSW
Bryan Hudson	0.2 IP	2 ER	2 H	2 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	28% CSW
Trevor Richards	2.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	30% CSW

Bryan Hudson will be glad to get out of Philadelphia as he allowed four earned runs over 1.1 innings in this series. He had been pitching better than the stuff and other metrics suggest, but I don’t think he’s going to completely fall off as long as his velocity is still in the 92+ MPH range. The command was not great this series.

Philadelphia Phillies
Tim Mayza	0.2 IP	1 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	31% CSW
José Alvarado – W (3)	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	21% CSW
Orion Kerkering	1.0 IP	1 H	1 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	30% CSW
Jonathan Bowlan	2.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	3 K	5 Whiffs	42% CSW

Over the past month Jonathan Bowlan holds a 0.77 ERA and WHIP (2.29 SIERA), 28% K rate, 15% SwStr and 111 Stuff+. It will be tough for him to carve out a high leverage role with Kerkering and Alvarado (and I guess Keller) in front of him unfortunately. For now, Keep on Bowlan, baby

BOS 1 – NYY 6

Boston Red Sox
Tyron Guerrero	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	50% CSW
Justin Slaten – L (3)	0.2 IP	4 ER	3 H	1 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	36% CSW
Joe La Sorsa	0.1 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	38% CSW

When Justin Slaten has a bad outing, it is a BAD outing. His velocity was way down in the first meltdown of the season, here Slaten just had no command. HE actually struck out the first two batters he faced before grooving a cutter middle-middle to Bellinger, and then allowing a couple of bloop singles before a walk ended his outing. Joe La Sorsa then came in and gave up a three-run home run on the first pitch he threw. All things considered, Slaten threw one bad pitch and dealt with some bad luck here. He should be fine.

New York Yankees
Fernando Cruz	0.2 IP	1 H	0 K	2 Whiffs	30% CSW
Brent Headrick	0.2 IP	1 H	0 K	0 Whiffs	11% CSW
Tim Hill – W (3)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	36% CSW
David Bednar	1.0 IP	0 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	45% CSW

It wasn’t a save situation, but it’s good to see David Bednar’s fastball velocity up closer to 97 MPH here. He even threw two curveballs, although both were above the top of the strike zone, so that’s not ideal. The command wasn’t great in general as he threw just four pitches in the zone, but the Red Sox offense makes things easy on pitchers these days.

BAL 4 – TOR 6

Baltimore Orioles
Yennier Cano	0.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 K	2 Whiffs	30% CSW
Grant Wolfram	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	24% CSW
Rico Garcia	0.2 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	8% CSW
Tyler Wells	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	43% CSW

It wasn’t a save situation or even a hold chance, but Rico Garcia’s fastball was down to just 94 MPH here. He also hung a changeup to Valenzuela for a home run. The velocity has fluctuated for him for a while now, and he’s getting hit around finally (that .111 BABIP should continue to rise, unfortunately). I wouldn’t panic, but the time to sell high is closing (if it hasn’t already), but he should still settle into being a solid setup man when Helsley returns.

Toronto Blue Jays
Adam Macko – W (2)	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	44% CSW
Connor Seabold – HLD (1)	0.1 IP	1 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	10% CSW
Tyler Rogers – HLD (14)	1.1 IP	0 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	29% CSW
Louis Varland – SV (11)	1.1 IP	1 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	35% CSW

I love Mason Fluharty, but he may have some competition for high-leverage lefty work with how Adam Macko has been pitching.

SEA 4 – DET 5

Seattle Mariners
José A. Ferrer – HLD (8)	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	11% CSW
Cooper Criswell	0.0 IP	2 ER	3 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	31% CSW
Gabe Speier – HLD (7)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	29% CSW
Eduard Bazardo – HLD (12)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
Andrés Muñoz – L (4)	0.2 IP	2 ER	1 H	2 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	26% CSW

Andrés Muñoz has now allowed 5 hits, 4 earned runs, over his past 4 outings (3.2 IP), and his ratios for the entire season look rough right now. Muñoz has always had command issues, as he could not locate his slider here, and the fastball was all over the place, too. McGonigle knew he was getting a fastball 1-0 here with Muñoz not being able to locate a slider, and jumped all over it for the game-winning hit. I don’t think there’s anything that suggests we need to fully push the panic button here, but I also don’t think I’d be looking to “buy low” (unless it’s really low).

Detroit Tigers
Drew Sommers	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	45% CSW
Kyle Finnegan	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	47% CSW
Tyler Holton	0.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	22% CSW
Drew Anderson	1.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	2 K	6 Whiffs	44% CSW
Will Vest – W (2)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	50% CSW

Excuse me Drew Anderson, does this say your fastball average was 97.5 MPH here?! I have my doubts about this being the new normal for Anderson, but his stuff was way up here, like elite closer-level stuff. This could be fun for holds leagues, especially with the SP eligibility.

TBR 1 – MIA 4

Tampa Bay Rays
Garrett Cleavinger – L (2)	1.0 IP	2 ER	1 H	1 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	35% CSW
Steven Matz	1.0 IP	1 ER	0 H	2 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	13% CSW
Cole Sulser	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	33% CSW

Steven Matz is back in the bullpen, and I’m not feeling it with the fastball not ticking up (yet at least), and the secondaries are average at best. If Garrett Cleavinger is going to be a different guy than we saw last year, the Rays may need to look outside the organization for left-handed bullpen help.

Miami Marlins
Michael Petersen – HLD (8)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	35% CSW
Anthony Bender – SV (2)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW

Michael Petersen stayed in the eighth inning here with Anthony Bender getting the ninth with Pete Fairbanks off. I think Fairbanks has some wiggle room here, but Bender has been awesome lately with that sinker/sweeper duo fully cooking. I wish the changeup were better to combat lefties, and he does like his slider against them, but I’m not sure if this recipe will hold up against tougher lefties moving forward. Bender should still be considered the favorite to take over the closer role if anything happens to Fairbanks, unless Michael Petersen’s command considerably improves.

ATH 5 – HOU 0

Athletics
Justin Sterner	0.2 IP	0 H	1 K	3 Whiffs	31% CSW
Mark Leiter Jr.	1.0 IP	0 H	2 K	4 Whiffs	38% CSW
Hogan Harris	1.0 IP	1 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	25% CSW

This wasn’t a save or hold situation for anyone, but this may be what the hierarchy looks like with the A’s bullpen right now. Hogan Harris doesn’t have the type of command you’d want from your closer, but here we are.

Houston Astros
Steven Okert	1.0 IP	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	27% CSW
Nate Pearson	2.0 IP	1 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	30% CSW
Bryan Abreu	1.0 IP	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	67% CSW

Bryan Abreu threw nine pitches here…four of which were this new cutter. It’s not a great pitch, but it may work with the four-seam/slider for the time being. I’m not fully back in (the velocity is still down, the slider also didn’t look great here), but the cutter gives me hope we can get something from Abreu this season.

KCR 6 – MIN 5

Kansas City Royals
John Schreiber	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	43% CSW
Mason Black	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	40% CSW
Beck Way	0.1 IP	4 ER	3 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	27% CSW
Lucas Erceg – SV (12)	0.2 IP	0 ER	2 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	27% CSW

John Schreiber’s fastball (four-seam and sinker) velocity has been up lately, specifically over the past eight innings as he’s been averaging 93.8 MPH. He averaged 93.8 MPH last year, with the only season he threw harder being 2022 (his best season, by far). Over this current streak, Schreiber holds a 1.13 ERA (2.19 SIERA), 0.75 WHIP, and 32.1% K rate (36% CSW). If he can stick around 94 MPH, I’m back in.
Lucas Erceg was called on to clean up Beck Way’s mess (Lange, Lynch, and Strahm were off today), and he got Keaschall to line out to CF before a Caratini ground ball took Erceg’s glove off his hand and Gray blooped a single to left. He finally got Lee to fly out to the warning track to end the game, but it was not pretty, and we should not normally see Erceg in these situations moving forward.

Minnesota Twins
Andrew Morris	1.2 IP	3 ER	3 H	0 BB	4 K	6 Whiffs	27% CSW
Cody Laweryson	2.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	2 BB	3 K	3 Whiffs	28% CSW
Justin Lawrence	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	42% CSW

Justin Lawrence’s velocity has been down since getting to Minnesota, but so far, he hasn’t allowed a run while striking out four, so maybe it doesn’t matter much? I’d like to see more four-seamers and fewer sinkers from him, but he doesn’t command the four-seamer as well.

CIN 3 – STL 5

Cincinnati Reds
Caleb Ferguson	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	41% CSW
Chris Paddack – BS (1)	2.0 IP	3 ER	3 H	0 BB	2 K	1 Whiffs	24% CSW
Brock Burke	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	21% CSW
Sam Moll – L (5)	0.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	6% CSW
Tony Santillan	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	14% CSW

This bullpen is still strange and bad enough that it appears as if Tony Santillan is still the team’s “closer”? Rough times.

St. Louis Cardinals
George Soriano – BS (2)	0.2 IP	1 ER	3 H	1 K	4 Whiffs	41% CSW
JoJo Romero	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	38% CSW
Ryne Stanek – W (2)	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	11% CSW
Riley O’Brien – SV (17)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 K	3 Whiffs	40% CSW

Ryne Stanek’s fastball velocity was back up here, so the recent scare seemed to just be a blip. He currently has a 1.29 ERA and 0.93 WHIP (27.3% K, 16% SwStr, 109 Stuff+) over 14 innings since the end of April. I’m going to give Stanek another chance, and he’s going to hurt me again, isn’t he?
Riley O’Brien had better command here, looking much more like his early-season self than what we have seen from him recently. Now lets build on this and get back on track. All things considered, he is the team’s best option in the ninth inning.

CLE 0 – TEX 10

Cleveland Guardians
Will Dion	2.0 IP	1 ER	3 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	16% CSW
Austin Hedges	1.0 IP	2 ER	4 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	26% CSW

Will Dion’s stuff is pretty mediocre, and he feels more like a long relief option than someone who can give you quality high-leverage outings.

Texas Rangers
Peyton Gray	1.0 IP	1 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	32% CSW
Tyler Alexander	1.0 IP	1 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	25% CSW
Luis Curvelo	1.0 IP	1 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	40% CSW

Luis Curvelo’s velocity has been down since he was recalled by the Rangers, and it’s not like he had a great fastball anyway. He can be an interesting reliever when his three-pitch mix is all working, but for now, he’s more of a watch list guy.

MIL 12 – COL 4

Milwaukee Brewers
Chad Patrick	1.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	14% CSW
Craig Yoho	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	17% CSW

Craig Yoho got burned on a 2-2 changeup to Goodman (not a terrible pitch), but otherwise, he looked fine here. The command needs to be better, and I want to see how the stuff looks outside of Coors.

Colorado Rockies
Jaden Hill – L (2)	0.1 IP	5 ER	4 H	2 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	23% CSW
Keegan Thompson	3.2 IP	4 ER	6 H	0 BB	3 K	2 Whiffs	23% CSW

Jaden Hill was looking like a potential closer here, but this outing will set him back. Just do yourself a favor and do not roster Rockies relievers.

WSN 1 – ARI 5

Washington Nationals
Riley Cornelio	2.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	3 BB	1 K	6 Whiffs	25% CSW
Gus Varland	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	42% CSW

Riley Cornelio could not command his stuff here, but I get the appeal with how great his stuff is. He’s another four-seam/slider reliever, and the four-seamer is better than what Beeter and Varland possess, but the slider isn’t quite on Betters level. If one of those three can show consistent command, they may have a decent closer option.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Kevin Ginkel	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	31% CSW
Taylor Clarke	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	50% CSW

Kevin Ginkel’s fastball was up over 1.5 MPH, and if he’s back in 96+ MPH range, then we are talking 2022-2024 Ginkel, who was a really good reliever in this league. This is a great development for this bullpen who could also be getting back Puk soon.

LAA 13 – LAD 5

Los Angeles Angels
Drew Pomeranz	0.2 IP	2 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	20% CSW
Chase Silseth	1.0 IP	1 H	1 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	29% CSW
Sam Bachman	0.1 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	38% CSW
Mitch Farris	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	3 K	2 Whiffs	44% CSW

Mitch Farris fastball was up over 2 MPH here to 93.7, and well, I guess that’s a bit of a difference maker for him. It’s still not a great fastball, but at this velocity, it could at least give his slider more of a chance to dominate.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Edgardo Henriquez	1.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	3 K	6 Whiffs	33% CSW
Blake Treinen	1.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	36% CSW
Alex Vesia	0.2 IP	2 ER	1 H	2 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	23% CSW
Jonathan Hernández	1.2 IP	6 ER	7 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	21% CSW
Jack Dreyer	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	35% CSW
Kyle Hurt	1.1 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	3 K	5 Whiffs	36% CSW

Ok, that’s now back-to-back dominant outings from Edgardo Henriquez, is this finally happening?! He threw five different pitches here, which I just don’t think is necessary, as his two fastballs and slider should be good enough when he was averaging 101.5 MPH. Either way, I’m fine with him mixing in a cutter and/or curveball every now and then, just keep this velocity up, and he’ll be their high-leverage righty sooner rather than later.

NYM 7 – SDP 3

New York Mets
Sean Manaea – W (1)	4.0 IP	2 ER	4 H	1 BB	3 K	4 Whiffs	23% CSW
Brooks Raley	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	29% CSW
A.J. Minter	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	15% CSW
Luke Weaver	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	4 Whiffs	33% CSW
Devin Williams	1.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	50% CSW

Devin Williams wasn’t at his best in this non-save situation, as the command wasn’t great, but he got a chance to try two sliders. The 0-1 slider he threw to Taylor was pretty good (the next pitch, not so much), but I’m not sure the pitch is going to make a big impact this season for him.

San Diego Padres
Yuki Matsui	1.2 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	28% CSW
Ron Marinaccio	2.1 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 BB	3 K	5 Whiffs	31% CSW
Wandy Peralta	1.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	1 BB	0 K	3 Whiffs	30% CSW

Yuki Matsui’s fastball was down 1.4 MPH here, and after a promising debut to the season, he’s starting to show some blemishes.

SFG 2 – CHC 1

San Francisco Giants
JT Brubaker	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	27% CSW
Caleb Kilian	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	50% CSW
Erik Miller	1.0 IP	1 H	1 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	38% CSW
Keaton Winn – W (2)	1.0 IP	1 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	16% CSW
Dylan Smith – SV (1)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	27% CSW

Dylan Smith got a save in the 10th inning here, and it was impressive as he had to face the 2-3-4 part of the Cubs lineup with that ghost runner on 2B to start the inning. There’s definitely something here with his sweeper/four-seam duo and in this wide-open Giants bullpen, why can’t he get a potential look as the team’s closer eventually?

Chicago Cubs
Javier Assad	6.1 IP	1 H	1 BB	5 K	4 Whiffs	26% CSW
Jacob Webb	0.2 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	43% CSW
Daniel Palencia	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	31% CSW
Trent Thornton – L (2)	1.0 IP	1 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	12% CSW

Daniel Palencia didn’t allow a baserunner here, but the command was not exactly ideal, especially with the slider. He did attempt two splitters, but with the second one being where he wants to live with that pitch (down and out of the zone and somehow fouled off by Lee). Need him to get that same confidence he showed in the World Baseball Classic.

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 6/7

Rick Graham

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 6/7

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