Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 8/18

New York Yankees
Yerry De los Santos – W (1)	2.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	17% CSW
Brent Headrick – HLD (20)	0.2 IP	1 H	1 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	24% CSW
Fernando Cruz – HLD (19)	0.1 IP	0 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW
Paul Blackburn – HLD (6)	1.0 IP	0 H	1 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	44% CSW
David Bednar – SV (28)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	62% CSW

Paul Blackburn — Sinker up 0.9 MPH (95.2 vs. 94.3 season avg). I guess? I just don’t see this being sustainable.

Baltimore Orioles
Josh Walker	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	1 BB	2 K	5 Whiffs	44% CSW
Albert Suárez	2.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	0 Whiffs	29% CSW

Albert Suárez — Four-Seamer up 1.2 MPH (94.8 vs. 93.6 season avg). Sure.

Detroit Tigers
Ty Madden	2.0 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	26% CSW
Enmanuel De Jesús	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	31% CSW

Ty Madden — Four-Seamer up 1.8 MPH (95.1 vs. 93.3 season avg). Stuffs a little bit better out of the pen, but still pretty meh.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Mason Montgomery – SV (5)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	40% CSW

Mason Montgomery — Sinker usage 53% (+40 pts vs. 13% usual). Since introducing the sinker back in June, Montgomery holds a 1.83 ERA (0.19 xFIP), 0.61 WHIP, and 57% K rate over his past 19.2 IP. He’s been the best reliever in baseball over the past two months and needs to be rostered everywhere.

San Francisco Giants
Trent Harris	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	5 K	5 Whiffs	48% CSW
Reiver Sanmartin	2.0 IP	0 ER	2 H	1 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	24% CSW

Trent Harris’s sinker played well here, but it’s not a pitch that is trustworthy (he does throw it for strikes at least), and I’m not sure the sweeper/curve are good enough to make up for it.

Cleveland Guardians
Matt Festa	1.1 IP	1 H	3 K	6 Whiffs	43% CSW
Tim Herrin	1.0 IP	0 H	2 K	5 Whiffs	50% CSW
Craig Yoho	0.2 IP	1 H	1 K	0 Whiffs	45% CSW

Tim Herrin — Sinker up 1.0 MPH (94.9 vs. 93.9 season avg); Slider usage 58% (+31 pts vs. 27% usual)
Craig Yoho — Four-Seamer up 1.3 MPH (95.4 vs. 94.1 season avg). It’s still more of a sinker than a four-seamer, but it looked good here in a small sample.

St. Louis Cardinals
Ryne Stanek – HLD (24)	1.0 IP	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	29% CSW
Gordon Graceffo – HLD (6)	1.0 IP	1 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	33% CSW
George Soriano – HLD (19)	1.0 IP	0 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	47% CSW
Riley O’Brien – SV (32)	1.0 IP	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	23% CSW

Riley O’Brien — Sweeper usage 62% (+31 pts vs. 30% usual). All for this, I’d prefer a closer to 50/50 split between his sinker and sweeper/slider.

Cincinnati Reds
Zach Maxwell	2.2 IP	1 ER	3 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	24% CSW

Zach Maxwell — Sweeper usage 0% (-25 pts vs. 25% usual). Good to see Big Sugar back up, and the fastball looked great as usual, and the command wasn’t terrible. I’m not sure about this cutter as his top secondary offering, but he is able to locate it better than the sweeper.

Toronto Blue Jays
Mason Fluharty	0.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 K	0 Whiffs	50% CSW
Matt Waldron	2.0 IP	2 ER	4 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	19% CSW
Spencer Miles	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	40% CSW

Spencer Miles — Sinker up 1.7 MPH (97.9 vs. 96.2 season avg); Sinker usage 70% (+29 pts vs. 41% usual). On his way to being an efficient sinker/slider reliever.

Tampa Bay Rays
Steven Matz	1.1 IP	2 ER	3 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	35% CSW

Miami Marlins
Cade Gibson	1.1 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	39% CSW
Tyler Zuber	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	29% CSW
Josh Ekness	1.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	30% CSW
Michael Petersen – L (3)	1.0 IP	4 ER	4 H	0 BB	0 K	4 Whiffs	35% CSW
Tyler Phillips	2.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	2 BB	3 K	5 Whiffs	29% CSW
Calvin Faucher	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW

So, uhh, that’s not it Michael Petersen. He got out of the fifth inning, but then started the 6th with a HBP before getting Harper to fly out to the track for the first out. He then gave up four straight hits, getting Singled Out before leaving the game, but the damage wasn’t done yet as Phillips entered and allowed another run to score. The command was an issue here more than anything for Petersen, so I’d chalk it up to just a poor one-off outing.

Philadelphia Phillies
Alex McFarlane – W (1)	1.0 IP	1 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	17% CSW
José Alvarado – HLD (11)	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	31% CSW
Orion Kerkering – HLD (15)	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	35% CSW
Brooks Raley – SV (1)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW

Alex McFarlane did not generate a whiff here, but stuff still looks great. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him overtake Orion Kerkering for a secondary setup role here, but that being said, Kerkering looked better here, the best he’s looked in some time, so thats a good sign.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Jonathan Loáisiga	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	11% CSW
Kevin Ginkel	1.0 IP	2 ER	3 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	31% CSW
Taylor Clarke	1.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	27% CSW
Justin Martinez	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	11% CSW

Justin Martinez made his long-awaited 2026 debut here, and the command was certainly rusty (to be expected), but at least the stuff was as electric as we remembered. It may not be this week, but he should move into the closer role in due time.

Boston Red Sox
Tyron Guerrero – HLD (16)	1.2 IP	2 H	0 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	37% CSW
Erik Miller	1.0 IP	0 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	39% CSW
Wyatt Olds	1.0 IP	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	27% CSW

This was Tyron Guerrero’s first outing since the five-run debacle a week ago, so it was good to see him get back out there and get five outs without allowing a run. The stuff ticked back up for him, but it would still be nice to see more of his secondaries.
Wyatt Olds may be a legit dude here. Definitely someone to keep an eye on.

San Diego Padres
Bradgley Rodriguez – HLD (10)	0.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	21% CSW
Adrian Morejon – HLD (20)	1.2 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	3 K	8 Whiffs	34% CSW
Mason Miller – SV (31)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	38% CSW

I don’t love seeing Adrian Morejon throw this many pitches in an outing (38) as he struggled to command his sinker, but the stuff was great and still got his 20th hold out of it.

New York Mets
Jack Weisenburger	1.1 IP	1 ER	1 H	2 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	23% CSW
Jefry Yan	0.2 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	50% CSW
Dedniel Núñez	2.0 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	24% CSW

Jefry Yan — Four-Seamer up 1.3 MPH (99.5 vs. 98.2 season avg). And no walks?! Just be around the zone with this kind of stuff man.

Athletics
Drew Rom – HLD (3)	0.1 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	38% CSW
Luis Medina – HLD (7)	1.1 IP	0 ER	0 H	3 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	17% CSW
Hogan Harris – L (2)	0.2 IP	2 ER	3 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	3% CSW
Elvis Alvarado	0.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	0% CSW

If Hogan Harris isn’t safe on the road in Kansas City, I’m not sure where he is. Three hits, a walk (and catcher’s interference) plus two loud outs (Vinnie P was robbed of a home run by Butler) here and ZERO whiffs on 30 pitches?! Ooof.

Kansas City Royals
Mason Black	3.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	3 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	25% CSW
Alex Lange	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	27% CSW
Carlos Duran – W (1)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW

We finally saw some Carlos Duran, and I have to say, I’m underwhelmed. The fastball and slider are meh.

Atlanta Braves
Dylan Dodd	0.2 IP	1 ER	1 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	33% CSW
Didier Fuentes	0.2 IP	1 ER	3 H	0 BB	1 K	3 Whiffs	33% CSW

Didier Fuentes — Four-Seamer up 1.9 MPH (99.1 vs. 97.2 season avg). Well, at least the velocity returned for him here. But he got hit hard, and deservedly so, as he was leaving too many fastballs middle-middle. I still believe in the stuff here, so

Minnesota Twins
Kody Funderburk – HLD (9)	0.1 IP	0 H	1 K	3 Whiffs	75% CSW
Andrew Morris – HLD (20)	1.0 IP	0 H	1 K	2 Whiffs	54% CSW
A.J. Minter – HLD (5)	1.0 IP	0 H	0 K	0 Whiffs	17% CSW
Yoendrys Gómez – SV (19)	1.0 IP	1 H	1 K	4 Whiffs	25% CSW

Andrew Morris — Four-Seamer up 2.1 MPH (99.3 vs. 97.2 season avg); Cutter usage 46% (+28 pts vs. 18% usual). Maybe the best Morris has looked in some time. He has a chance to be the next “three-headed fastball” guy if the Twins move him back into the rotation next year.
A.J. Minter — Four-Seamer up 2.2 MPH (95.4 vs. 93.2 season avg). He only threw one four-seamer, so don’t get too excited.
Yoendrys Gómez — Four-Seamer up 1.5 MPH (97.3 vs. 95.8 season avg). This Twins bullpen dominated the final 10 outs here, finished off by Gómez, who needed this outing after looking shaky over his previous three games.

Seattle Mariners
Josh Simpson	0.2 IP	5 ER	3 H	2 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	15% CSW
Nick Davila	1.2 IP	1 ER	3 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	32% CSW
Leo Rivas	1.0 IP	7 ER	9 H	1 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	16% CSW

Blegh.

Milwaukee Brewers
Shane Drohan	2.0 IP	1 H	2 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	26% CSW
Grant Anderson	1.0 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	44% CSW
Gary Sánchez	1.0 IP	2 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	14% CSW

Shane Drohan — Four-Seamer up 0.9 MPH (95.8 vs. 94.9 season avg). Back in the bullpen for now.
Grant Anderson — Sinker up 2.0 MPH (95.0 vs. 93.0 season avg). Anderson goes to AAA (or was he just at the Pitching Lab?) and comes back throwing 2 MPH harder? I’m not sure it’s a huge difference maker for him, though.

Washington Nationals
Yovanny Cruz	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	0 K	2 Whiffs	21% CSW

Yovanny Cruz — Four-Seamer down 2.1 MPH (97.7 vs. 99.8 season avg). The command was better, but now the stuff is average-ish.

Texas Rangers
Robby Ahlstrom	0.2 IP	2 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	35% CSW
Jakob Junis	0.1 IP	0 H	0 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	100% CSW
Tyler Alexander	1.0 IP	1 H	1 BB	1 K	2 Whiffs	26% CSW

Robby Ahlstrom — Four-Seamer usage 6% (-27 pts vs. 33% usual); Changeup usage 41% (+26 pts vs. 15% usual). Meh.

Chicago White Sox
Bryan Hudson	1.0 IP	2 ER	2 H	0 BB	1 K	0 Whiffs	29% CSW
Huascar Brazobán – HLD (11)	0.1 IP	1 ER	0 H	2 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	14% CSW
Grant Taylor – BS (5)	1.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	47% CSW
Trevor Richards – L (1)	1.2 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	4 Whiffs	27% CSW

Grant Taylor has five blown saves now and just 16 SV+HLDs, but he still hasn’t allowed an earned run since the All-Star break. The stuff still looks great, and he did pick up two strikeouts, the first time he’s done that in an inning of work since July 26th.

Chicago Cubs
Javier Assad	3.0 IP	2 H	0 BB	2 K	6 Whiffs	30% CSW
Caleb Thielbar	0.2 IP	1 H	0 BB	0 K	0 Whiffs	27% CSW
Jacob Webb – W (6)	1.0 IP	0 H	1 BB	0 K	1 Whiffs	36% CSW

Jacob Webb continues to roll, and with Daniel Palencia returning in two days, the Cubs will have a tough decision to make. My guess would be Palencia is the main ninth-inning guy, with Webb going back to his high-leverage role.

Los Angeles Angels
José Fermin – HLD (6)	0.1 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 K	0 Whiffs	20% CSW
Ryan Watson – HLD (3)	0.2 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	33% CSW
Ben Joyce – SV (3)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 K	2 Whiffs	36% CSW

Ben Joyce ladies and gentlemen (please stay healthy).

Houston Astros
Bryan King	0.2 IP	1 ER	1 H	1 K	0 Whiffs	38% CSW
Enyel De Los Santos	1.1 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	13% CSW
AJ Blubaugh	2.0 IP	0 ER	1 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	17% CSW
Miguel Ullola	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	2 K	1 Whiffs	36% CSW

Great to see Miguel Ullola back, and the stuff looked good here. Is it too late for him to work his way into a leverage role?

Los Angeles Dodgers
Jack Dreyer – HLD (9)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	1 BB	2 K	3 Whiffs	29% CSW
Edgardo Henriquez – HLD (9)	1.0 IP	0 ER	0 H	0 BB	2 K	4 Whiffs	62% CSW
Evan Phillips – HLD (4)	0.2 IP	1 ER	2 H	1 BB	1 K	1 Whiffs	12% CSW
Tanner Scott – SV (17)	1.1 IP	1 ER	2 H	0 BB	0 K	4 Whiffs	22% CSW

Edgardo Henriquez — Four-Seamer down 0.8 MPH (99.7 vs. 100.5 season avg). Stuff’s still good, and the command was much better.
Evan Phillips — Four-Seamer down 0.8 MPH (95.9 vs. 96.7 season avg). I’m still more worried about the sweeper not looking the same as it once did.
It wasn’t pretty, but Tanner Scott nailed down the save, despite the McCarthy double and Castro RBI single to make things close. He’s still easily the number one choice for saves here without Díaz.

Colorado Rockies
Parker Mushinski	1.0 IP	1 H	0 K	2 Whiffs	23% CSW
Jimmy Herget	1.0 IP	0 H	1 K	1 Whiffs	11% CSW
Zach Agnos	1.0 IP	0 H	1 K	3 Whiffs	38% CSW
Jordan Romano	1.0 IP	1 H	0 K	1 Whiffs	31% CSW

Blegh.

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 8/18

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Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitcher Roundup: 8/18

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