Welcome back to the latest edition of our Reliever Ranks series! This will bring you up-to-date bullpen depth charts every morning for the day’s games and makes for an excellent tool for those looking to stream saves or wins. This series runs seven days a week, so check in every morning to get your daily bullpen fix!
Notes
Transaction and Schedule Notes
- With four days left, no off days remain on the regular-season schedule for any team.
- The Phillies and Nationals are on the heels of a doubleheader this afternoon, so their bullpen could be taxed a little more than usual.
- The Astros and Dodgers have secured the number one overall seeds in their respective leagues; with little more to prove in the regular season, both can regulate bullpen workloads and begin stacking their deck for the postseason.
- Teams with a clinched postseason spot can also begin managing reliever workloads, but other races, like the one for the NL East crown (ATL and NYM), could feature heavy work from top bullpen arms.
- SF: Jarlín Garcia was reinstated from the paternity list on Sunday; the Giants optioned Sean Hjelle to the minors in a related move.
- PIT: Wil Crowe was placed on the 15-day injured list (elbow). The Pirates recalled Junior Fernández as a bullpen replacement.
- NYY: After only three appearances with the Yankees, Zack Britton was placed on the 60-day IL. Britton had just returned from Tommy John surgery and is “in a good spot heading into the offseason,” says New York manager Aaron Boone. Jacob Barnes had his contract purchased from the minors in a related move.
- CLE: Bryan Shaw was designated for assignment. He recently surpassed nine years of MLB service.
WSH 13 – PHI 4 (Game 1)
Nationals: Four innings of relief work were split between two arms; Hunter Harvey earned his sixth hold of 2022 while Andres Machado finished up two frames of their own. Each faced seven hitters, striking out two and allowing one hit a piece. There wasn’t much leverage to speak of during this game’s later innings, but the Nationals bullpen remained strong even with long breaks of action in the seventh and eighth (from their team scoring six additional runs).
Phillies: Already trailing 4-7 after the sixth, the Phillies called upon Nick Nelson for his first outing in three days. He recorded just a single out and allowed three hits and two walks, pushing three hitters across home plate. Damage would ensue with Chris Devenski, allowing three runs of his own in 1 1/3 innings. The Nationals were able to keep Kyle Finnegan, Carl Edwards Jr. and Hunter Harvey rested, but they now anticipate Sunday outings without an appearance in three days.
NYY 8 – BAL 0
Yankees: Nestor Cortes carved; he left just five outs for the Yankees bullpen and recent-call up Jacob Barnes recorded all of them. With the loss of Zack Britton and some extensive relief work on Friday, this starting performance was huge in building some bullpen momentum. Lou Trivino and Jonathan Loáisiga haven’t pitched since at least Tuesday, so look for them to make an appearance today.
Orioles: Three innings of long relief kept the Orioles bullpen preserved. Spenser Watkins allowed seven hits and four runs, however, and despite plenty of strikes, the Yankees still found their way into some concerning situations. Baltimore called upon Félix Bautista and DL Hall during some Friday action, while a few arms like Dillon Tate or Cionel, Pérez are staying fresh for Thursday.
CHC 2 – CIN 1
Cubs: It took a four-reliever effort to seal this one-run victory. Adbert Alzolay posted a tremendous three innings of scoreless work just days removed from his first big league game of the season. He was followed by Wade Miley for two shutout innings, while Manuel Rodríguez tossed himself a shutout 2/3 of an inning before handing the final out to Brandon Hughes. It took just a few pitches for Hughes’ eighth save of the season.
Reds: Two runs of damage were all the Cubs needed in this one; the Reds called upon Derek Law and Buck Farmer for a combined three innings of work Cincinnati’s bullpen is now one of the most rested in the league thanks to Law and Farmer’s efforts, while many other top relievers for the Reds have gone without an appearance over the past several days.
TOR 10 – BOS 0
Blue Jays: Four relievers combined for three innings in this contest, preserving a shutout in some otherwise-low-leverage situations. Anthony Bass, David Phelps, Jordan Romano and Adam Cimber faced 11 combined hitters, allowing a single hit and striking out four. It wasn’t ideal for a non-save situation, but it helped ensure several arms are ready to go in should they be called upon today. None of Toronto’s Saturday relievers threw more than 14 pitches.
Red Sox: Josh Winckowski was tasked with the 7th, 8th, and 9th inning and allowed six hits, pushing the Red Sox into even tougher territory after trailing 7-0 after five complete innings. Zack Kelly was charged with three runs of his own, recording just three outs and allowing two home runs. It was a shaky performance from both relievers, but with arms like Matt Barnes and John Schreiber available for Sunday, Boston could find themselves back in business with some top relief options.
ARI 8 – SF 4
Diamondbacks: Saturday was another shaky late-inning performance by Arizona, with both Reyes Moronta and Mark Melancon allowing a run in their single innings of work. Kevin Ginkel posted the D-Backs’ cleanest frame, a perfect seventh inning, but a six-run cushion when Arizona first went to the bullpen was enough to preserve a win. Joe Mantiply and Caleb Smith are now particularly rested, so look for them to claim a good chunk of work this afternoon.
Giants: Jakob Junis, the post-opener starter, allowed eight hits and four runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Giants would later call for short relief, but a short-lived outing by Jarlín García (1 IP, 4 H, 4 R) proved decisive in this four-run contest. Yunior Marte would later take over for a dominant two innings, but not before the Giants surrendered five runs in the seventh inning. Camilo Doval and John Brebbia did not pitch in the past two days, so they remain key options for late-inning action today.
SEA 5 – OAK 1
Mariners: One day removed from clinching a playoff spot, Seattle posted three shutout innings of relief with some of their middle relievers. Matthew Boyd, Diego Castillo, and Matthew Festa each threw a scoreless inning, allowing a combined one baserunner to reach. The Mariners can begin planning for the postseason and perhaps regulating the workload of many pitchers in the waning days of the regular season.
Athletics: After a one-inning opener (Adam Oller) allowed three runs in one inning, the A’s had seven innings of relief to follow – without a single earned run scored. JP Sears was the first ‘reliever’ as a post-opener starter, tossing six innings and allowing two hits. Kirby Snead was the final arm used, allowing two hits and two runs, but none of those runs were earned. The A’s used many of their top relief arms on Friday, and each should be ready to go on Sunday if needed.
KC 7 – CLE 1
Royals: It took five relievers for Kansas City to cap off a one-run performance on Saturday; five strong innings from starter Kris Bubic got it all started. Dylan Coleman collected two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth, Anthony Misiewicz finished this one with a perfect ninth, and pretty much everybody except Scott Barlow and Brad Keller threw in this one. Those two arms will likely be active today, perhaps regardless of score.
Guardians: Nick Sandlin, Enyel De Los Santos, Eli Morgan and Kirk McCarty went to work fo 5 1/3 combined innings. McCarty tossed two of them and allowed two runs on three hits, while De Los Santos allowed a run and hit of his own. Cleveland trailed 0-4 before turning to their bullpen, so there wasn’t much high-leverage work to speak of. Emmanuel Clase, James Karinchak and Trevor Stephan should be good to go today, although Stephan could be resting further after throwing 58 pitches in the past five days.
DET 3 – MIN 2
Tigers: Detroit turned to their reliever gauntlet to polish this one off. Gregory Soto earned himself a hold and not a save, however. He faced three batters in 2/3 of an inning during the eighth, walking two but helping post an eventual zero in a big frame. Andrew Chafin was then tasked with the save situation, allowing one hit but working an otherwise clean frame. Alex Lange, José Cisnero and Daniel Norris contributed to a shutout relief performance over 4 2/3 innings, while the Tigers now have limited relievers available today. Jason Foley is their most-rested option, down since his 22 pitches on Thursday.
Twins: Three innings of relief by Ronny Henriquez was the only relief action needed from the Twins on Saturday; they now enter Sunday with nearly all relievers available and rested. Jorge López and Jhoan Duran haven’t thrown in the past two days, and have thrown a combined 45 pitches since Tuesday.
PHI 8 – WSH 2 (Game 2)
Phillies: Despite 18 innings of action on Saturday, the Phillies have a relatively-rested core of relievers entering today. Game 2 of Saturday’s doubleheader featured three innings from Cristopher Sánchez, one other pitch thrown by another reliever (Connor Brogdon). The Phillies can use far more relievers than the Nationals today.
Nationals: Mason Thompson, Steve Cishek and Carl Edwards Jr. saw action in Game 2, combining to allow two hits and a walk in an otherwise-clean 3 1/3 innings. Closer Kyle Finnegan did not see time on Saturday, so he could find himself on the mound no matter the score today. Position player Ildemaro Vargas posted a perfect ninth inning, capping off 5 1/3 innings of scoreless relief by the Nationals.
MIA 4 – MIL 3
Marlins: A whole lot of arms threw in this one: Andrew Nardi, Tommy Nance, Jake Fishman, Huascar Brazoban, Jeff Brigham, Richard Bleier and Tanner Scott combined for six innings of three-run work. Scott and Nance recorded three strikeouts each during their one-inning appearances, limiting damage from a combined three hits. Bleier recorded his first save of the year with a perfect ninth, keeping closer Dylan Floro rested after three consecutive appearances starting last Tuesday.
Brewers: A similar strategy took shape for Milwaukee – five relievers were used – but a strong showing was slowed after a 1/3-inning blown save by Devin Williams. He entered for the ninth and allowed two runs on one hit, flipping a one-run lead. The Brewers didn’t allow another run in relief, however; Trevor Gott was a top performer with two strikeouts in a perfect 1 2/3 innings. Taylor Rogers and Hoby Milner are the most-rested options for Milwaukee’s bullpen today.
STL 13 – PIT 3
Cardinals: Steven Matz tossed 20 pitches over 1 1/3 innings, allowing one run on one hit. Jake Woodford was then tasked with the final five outs, working around two hits and posting an otherwise-scoreless appearance. St. Louis was able to let top arms Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos catch some breath after higher pitch totals on Friday, and with a playoff berth now clinched in St. Louis, the workloads of these arms could be somewhat monitored with four regular-season dates remaining.
Pirates: Manny Bañuelos, Zach Thompson and Junior Fernández combined to throw 13o pitches in relief: Thompson was a bulk starter, however, throwing 71 on them. He allowed four runs in 5 1/3 innings, while Bañuelos allowed three runs (two) earned in the eighth. Fernández had the cleanest appearance in terms of zero runs allowed, but his three walks in the seventh led to a self-induced jam. Pittsburgh has pretty much all of their top relievers ready to go today after limited work in the past four days.
HOU 2 – TB 1
Astros: Ryan Pressly earned himself save number 32 but did so working around two walks and a hit. Houston lost the shutout bid in that ninth inning, but the road was paved by Rafael Montero tossing a perfect eighth inning with a strikeout. Also earning a hold was Hunter Brown, working around one hit in the seventh. With the top seed in the AL secured by the Astros, manager Dusty Baker may elect to use caution with his top relievers in the regular season that remains.
Rays: Garrett Cleavinger and JT Chargois combined for three innings of scoreless relief, working around one single hit as the only baserunner allowed. Top arms Pete Fairbanks and Jason Adam have not thrown since Wednesday, so they are in prime position for a tough lineup today as needed.
ATL 4 – NYM 2
Braves: Kenley Jansen cashed in on save number 39, while Raisel Iglesias earned hold 13, Jesse Chavez earned hold number 10, and Dylan Lee earned hold number nine. The quartet combined to pitch four innings of shutout relief work, allowing a single hit and collecting five strikeouts. It was a lights-out bullpen effort for the Braves, and with a narrow division lead over the Mets, we could see many of these arms again soon – although Jansen and Iglesias have now pitched on back-to-back days.
Mets: Adam Ottavino, Seth Lugo and Drew Smith threw a combined 19 pitches over 1 2/3 innings, so any one of those three arms could find themselves back on the mound today. David Peterson and Drew Smith were the remaining relievers used, combining to allow one hit and no runs in the eighth. New York has Edwin Díaz ready to roll, rested since Wednesday, and now falling into a divisional second place, little is off the table for the Mets in terms of reliever workload.
SD 5 – CWS 2
Padres: The Padres went to work with Josh Hader (save number 35), Nick Martinez (hold number eight) and Robert Suarez (hold number 11); those three arms combined for 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, helping to preserve the Padres’ standing in the NL wildcard race. Martinez and Suarez have now thrown on back-to-back days, but Hader could be active again after throwing 13 pitches on Saturday.
White Sox: Joe Kelly and Jake Diekman went to work for one inning a piece, allowing one run on four combined hits. The White Sox did not have Liam Hendriks and Kendall Graveman ‘available’ after back-to-back days of work; it is likely that Kelly will be unavailable today after a Friday and Saturday appearance of his own.
LAA 3 – TEX 2
Angels: Two innings of relief were needed after seven strong innings by José Suarez; it was Ryan Tepera (save number six) and Zack Weiss (hold number one) closing the door with six consecutive batters retired. Jimmy Herget has been used extensively this week and could be down today (after three saves in five days), while Tepera has thrown every other day since Tuesday. (The Angels have recorded a save in five consecutive days, so we’ve got an interesting little streak going on.)
Rangers: Jonathan Hernández was credited with a blown save after allowing one run on one hit in the seventh. It was his third appearance in five days, but his frame on Saturday was otherwise clean outside of one hitter reaching base. Matt Moore tossed a scoreless eighth with a strikeout, Jésus Tinoco tossed a one-run sixth, and the Rangers can turn to José Leclerc on longer rest after thworing 52 pitches from Tuesday-Thursday.
LAD 6 – COL 4
Dodgers: The West Coast nightcap featured a late surge by L.A. hitters, posting three runs in the seventh and two in the eighth. This allowed for Brusdar Graterol’s fourth save of the year (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), while Evan Phillips earned a win with a clean inning. Craig Kimbrel was tasked with the sixth inning and worked around two walks to hold the Rockies scoreless, but it wasn’t exactly a building block for the former closer. Alex Vesia and Chris Martin look in line for opportunities today, each without an appearance since Thursday.
Rockies: The seventh-inning comeback by the Dodgers came against Dinelson Lamet, allowing three runs on three walks and no base hits. Lamet was removed before recording an out; Chad Smith entered, and despite not allowing a run of his own, he also walked three batters and allowed plenty of inherited runners to score. Recent call-up Gavin Hollowell followed for 1 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and two runs, while another recent call-up Ty Blach recorded a final out. Rockies relievers combined to walk seven batters in 2 1/3 innings, which is not a recipe for success against any team, but much less the Dodgers.
Bullpen Depth Charts
Also, if you’re looking for a detailed list or ranking of RPs, check out Rick Graham’s weekly pieces:
The Hold Up: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday
Closing Time: Ranking the Top 30 Closers
Top 100 Relievers for Save+Hold Leagues
Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)