Welcome back to the newest 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
- Weather played a significant role in Friday baseball as six games(LAD@CHC, PIT@CIN, KCR@BAL, NYM@PHI, TEX@NYY, and TOR@CLE) were PPD due to inclement weather.
- Today, the postponements will push three matchups into a doubleheader (LAD@CHC, PIT@CIN, and TOR@CLE). Additionally, TEX@NYY has already been postponed.
- The Arizona Diamondback activated Mark Melancon from the IL and demoted Corbin Martin. Melancon should slide comfortably back into his ninth-inning role.
- Buck Farmer was designated for assigned by the Cincinnati Red.
- The San Francisco Giants optioned Sam Long to Triple-A in a surprise move. While there were some command issues(8:5 K/BB ratio), the results were there(3.48 ERA over 10.1 IP). Mauricio Llovera was optioned for long-relief Sean Hjelle.
- The Tampa Bay Rays‘ Javy Guerra cleared waivers and was designated for assignment.
Yesterday’s Performances
- With starter Vince Velasquez slated for Friday, the White Sox bullpen was sure to get some work. They responded early with Matt Foster(H, 3) and Aaron Bummer(H, 7) throwing scoreless innings. However, Kendall Graveman(H, 7) ran into trouble in the eighth inning and scattered three hits while allowing a run to cross the plate. Finally, Liam Hendriks struck out all three batters to earn his eighth save of the season.
- On the other side, the Boston bullpen kept the game close as the quartet only allowed one earned run in the final four innings. The lone earned run charged to Ryan Brasier. John Schreiber(0.2 IP), Austin Davis(1.0 IP), and Matt Barnes(1.0 IP) fired off scoreless outings. Additionally, it was a good showing for Barnes, who showcased a bit more velocity on the entire arsenal.
- Brad Boxberger(H, 7) came into the seventh inning and threw another clean outing for his 10th scoreless appearance of the season. While eighth inning usage typically belongs to Devin Williams, the team elected to give him the night off after appearing in two of the previous three games. Instead, Jandel Gustave found work but was shaky(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 K). Finally, Josh Hader struck out a batter to notch his 11th save of the season.
- The Braves were unsuccessful with using Jesse Chavez as an opener. In the first inning, he allowed two runs on three hits. However, Spencer Strider stepped in and was electric(4.0 IP, 4 H, 8 K). His four-seam fastball was absolute filth and earned nine whiffs on 34 swings, with five called strikes. Collin McHugh was charged with the loss after failing to complete an inning and allowing two earned runs. Additionally, Tyler Matzek only registered one out as he walked three batters and allowed two runs to cross home.
- After a brilliant performance from starter Luis Garcia, Phil Maton(H, 5) kept the scoreboard empty in the eighth inning. The Astros turned the ball over to Rafael Montero for a clean ninth inning. This marks the third save since Ryan Pressly hit the IL, and while he’s back on the roster, Pressly was unavailable after hurling 21 pitches in Thursday’s blown save appearance.
- With back-to-back appearances by closer Gregory Soto, the team elected to go with a less traditional route in a closely contested game. Alex Lange pitched a clean sixth inning, and the combination of Jacob Barnes and Andrew Chafin finished out the seventh inning. Finally, Joe Jiménez threw a fortunate clean eighth inning as only four of his ten pitches were recorded for strikes.
- Joe Smith(H, 4) and Tyler Duffey(H, 3) pitched quiet innings and didn’t allow a single base runner in the seventh and eighth inning. Up by one in the ninth, the Twins confidently handed the ball over to Emilio Pagán, who earned every bit of his third save by sprinkling two hits and a walk with no one crossing home plate.
- With a well-rested bullpen, Oakland implemented four RPs in the one-run loss. A.J. Puk(1.0 IP. 1 BB, 1 K) was terrific and dropped his ERA to less than a run per inning. Domingo Acevedo allowed a pair of base runners but induced a Gio Urshela groundout to conclude the seventh inning. Finally, Kirby Snead(0.2 IP, 2 H) and Lou Trivino(0.1 IP, 1 K) kept the scoreboard empty in the eighth inning.
- The bullpen only allowed one base runner and no earned runs from the sixth inning on. Oliver Ortega(H, 1), Ryan Tepera(H, 7), and Aaron Loup(H, 7) each hurled scoreless frames. Trying to preserve the shutout, the Angels called to the pen for Raisel Iglesias in the ninth inning, and he responded by striking out one batter and notching his seventh save of the season.
- On the other side, the Nationals bullpen didn’t allow any runs either. Austin Voth dropped his ERA to 4.76 with a clean inning, and Víctor Arano stranded two base runners with a pair of Ks. Additionally, Paolo Espino found work(14 pitches) in the ninth inning with eight recorded strikes. All in all a very quiet bullpen game.
- The Diamondbacks only needed one RP on the evening. After an 8.2 IP gem from Merrill Kelly, Mark Melancon answered any questions about who the closer will be in Arizona. It’s him! He faced two batters, walking one to collect the game’s final out for the fifth save of his season.
- The game was 1-1 until Carlos Estévez served up a pair of HRs in the eighth inning. His disastrous outing pushed his ERA well over 5.00 and further down the list for high-leverage situations. Justin Lawrence struck out the initial Christian Walker before walking two batters to finish off the eighth and finally inducing a Seth Beer groundout.
- In a complete bullpen game that utilized six RPs, the game was started by slider-specialist Matt Wisler(2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 K). Following Wisler, Josh Fleming(2.2 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 2 ER, 1 K) wasn’t effective either. It wasn’t until Jalen Beeks settled things down by throwing a scoreless 1.1 innings of work. Keeping things interesting, J.P. Feyereisen(H, 3) walked a pair but didn’t allow any runs. Next, Ryan Thompson imploded by giving up two HRs and three earned runs. However, he earns the win due to a Seattle meltdown. Lastly, Brooks Raley earns his third save of the season on back-to-back nights. PHEW!
- Speaking of meltdown, Paul Sewald fell victim to timely hitting in the top of the ninth and allowed three hits(1 HR). However, that’s Sewald’s first blown save, and he’s still one of Seattle’s primary RPs for save opportunities. Also, Erik Swanson looked in beast mode as he struck out three in an inning of work. Lastly, Andrés Muñoz was implemented in the seventh inning, which could beg the question, “which is the team’s closer?”. Welcome to Seattle’s bullpen, where it’s genuinely a committee.
- With Taylor Rogers needing a night off after back-to-back appearances, the Padres turned to Steven Wilson with the save opportunity. He allowed a walk and hit but kept the Marlins off the scoreboard and notched his first save of the season. Robert Suarez(H, 2) also got in on the fun and struck out one batter in a clean frame.
- The Marlins gave their primary RP arms a night off and went with a trio, including Richard Bleier, Tanner Scott, and Cody Poteet. They combined for 3.1 innings of work and didn’t allow a single hit. Instead, four walks and three strikeouts but zero runs. Yet another quiet bullpen game on the evening.
- The Cardinals let Génesis Cabrera go two innings after Jordan Hicks couldn’t make it out of the fifth inning. Next up, fireballer Ryan Helsley received the win and struck out four of his six batters faced. Additionally, Helsley continues his scoreless streak to ten innings. Finally, Giovanny Gallegos earned his sixth save as the Cardinals collected their 16th victory.
- On the other side, the Giants found an inning of work for John Brebbia, whose been quietly good with 11 punchouts in 12 innings pitched with a 1.50 ERA and 0.75 WHIP. Camilo Doval was also getting in on the action(1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K). Since last Sunday(5/1), this was his first appearance, but he was saddled with the loss.
Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)