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
- Saturday’s schedule is an extensive one. All 30 teams take the field, including a doubleheader between LAA and SEA.
- The upcoming Monday(6/20) is a massive travel day, and all but the following teams have off days: BOS, NYY, TBR, TOR, CHW, DET, KCR, ATL, MIA, NYM, CHC, MIL, PIT, STL, ARI, SDP, and SFG.
- The Baltimore Orioles activated Joey Krehbiel from the 15-day IL.
- Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader was expected back from paternity but instead is expected to rejoin the team on Monday.
- Boston’s Kutter Crawford takes the mound, and we could see a bulk RP spot for Ryan Brasier.
- Seattle is giving Justus Sheffield a start in the doubleheader. A likely bulk RP to follow and vulture a win is Matt Festa.
Yesterday’s Performances
ATL 0 – CHC 1
- Atlanta let starter Charlie Morton go seven strong and only relied on A.J. Minter(1.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) out of the pen. Expect a full arsenal of high-leverage arms on Saturday, as the bullpen has rested most of the week.
- The Cubs found success with the combination of Mychal Givens(1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 K), Chris Martin(1.0 IP), and David Robertson(1.0 IP, 2 BB, 1 K). The appearance earned Martin his first victory and Robertson his team-leading 8th save. However, after back-to-back outings from Givens and Robertson, look to Rowan Wick if a save chance arises.
PHI 5 – WSH 3 (Game 1)
- In the 6th inning, Connor Brogdon(1.1 IP, 2 H) inherited runners but shut the rally hopes down. He came out for another inning of scoreless work. Following Brogdon, Seranthony Domínguez(1.0 IP, 2 K) sat down the National’s heart of the batting order and notched his 10th hold. Finally, collecting his 2nd save of the season, Brad Hand(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) struggled.
- All Philadelphia’s damage was done early, and the bullpen earned its lunch money today. Carl Edwards Jr(1.0 IP, 1 BB, 3 K), Kyle Finnegan(1.0 IP, 1 K), and Francisco Perez(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) combined for three innings with minimal base runners. Both teams couldn’t have asked for much better bullpen usage for a doubleheader.
PHI 8 – WSH 7 (Game 2)
- The second leg of the doubleheader went into the 10th inning, with Philly claiming victory. Making his first appearance since being stripped of the closer role, Corey Knebel(1.0 IP, 2 K) was effective and started his journey back to a high-leverage role in a solid fashion. In the 8th inning, Jeurys Familia(1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 K) found a little trouble after a pair of two-out singles but struck out the final batter. Things got interesting in the 9th inning as Andrew Bellatti(0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 K) struck out two of his first three batters, with the other reaching via a single. José Alvarado(1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K) came into the game but loaded the bases intentionally after an error. Even though it was a messy finish, Alvarado blew the save but earned the W.
- On the other side, Carl Edwards Jr.(1.0 IP) and Kyle Finnegan(0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB) also appeared in this game. Although, that may not have been a terrific decision as Finnegan struggled with command and only threw 12 of his 22 pitches for strikes. Needing someone to put the fire out in the 8th inning, Tanner Rainey(1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 K) stopped the bleeding but coughed up the earned run in the 9th inning to send it into extras. Finally, Steve Cishek(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) was credited with the loss after a subpar performance.
NYY 12 – TOR 3
- In the 5th inning, the Yankees hung an eight spot on the board, which signaled the team to utilize lower-leverage arms to complete this one. A mixture of Manny Banuelos(1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 ), Miguel Castro(0.2 IP), and Lucas Luetge(1.0 IP) finished out the final three frames.
- Not a good night for the Toronto pen as HRs flew out of the park for New York. Overall, Trent Thornton, Trevor Richards, and Casey Lawrence worked 5.1 innings and allowed ten earned runs with five charged to Thornton. Yikes!
STL 5 – BOS 6
- After relieving Adam Wainwright mid-way through the 7th inning, T.J. McFarland(0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER) couldn’t record an out and allowed his inherited runners to cross home plate. Needing his own relief, Nick Wittgren(1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 K) mowed down batters to escape the final five outs.
- Things were going according to plan, John Schreiber(1.1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) and Matt Strahm(1.1 IP, 1 BB) keeping the scoreboard clean, and everything was rolling along. And then, up by five runs in the 9th inning…Austin Davis(0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER) imploded. With St Louis knocking on the door for a comeback, Tanner Houck(0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 K) notched his third save, but it was a shaky one.
TEX 7 – DET 0
- The Rangers only needed two bullpens arms for two innings. In the 8th inning, Brett Martin(1.0 IP) only needed nine pitches to breeze by three hitters. Finally, Garrett Richards(1.0 IP, 2 K) kept hitters off-balanced by chucking eight of his 16 pitches as changeups that resulted in three swing-and-misses.
- Detroit’s bullpen started in the 6th inning, but Will Vest(0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB) couldn’t make it out. Down big in the 7th inning, the team went with two RPs: Tyler Alexander(2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 K) and Joe Jiménez(1.0 IP, 2 K). Both tout massive strikeout potential with K-rate over 30% but walks rear their ugly head too often for either to become high-leverage arms.
MIA 4 – NYM 10
- The Mets put nine runs up by the 6th inning, and the Marlins elected to preserve the pen. Instead, Louis Head(1.0 IP) and Jimmy Yacabonis(1.0 IP, 1 K) found work in the last two innings.
- With the game firmly in hand, New York relievers needed to throw strikes and keep the basepaths clean. Adam Ottavino(1.1 IP, 1 BB, 3 K) didn’t have a problem with his time on the mound. However, Adonis Medina(1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K) didn’t fare the same.
CHW 3 – HOU 13
- Starter Lucas Giolito didn’t have it in the bottom of the 6th inning. He left with the bases loaded, and Matt Foster(0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K) gave up a grand slam to Michael Brantley with several the runs charged to Giolitio. The pain didn’t stop there, and Foster allowed a few more to cross the plate. Finally, Tanner Banks(2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K) completed the last seven outs as Chicago looks for redemption tonight.
- Houston didn’t have any problems with their bullpen. Ryne Stanek(1.0 IP, 2 K), Seth Martinez(1.0 IP), and Bryan Abreu(1.0 IP, 3 K) didn’t allow a single baserunner.
KCR 5 – OAK 1
- In the 6th inning, Dylan Coleman(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K) was effective by finding five called strikes on his four-seamer. Next up, Taylor Clarke(1.2 IP, 3 K), who pitched two nights ago, kept things quiet. Finally, Gabe Speier(0.2 IP, 1 BB) and Josh Staumont(0.2 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) completed the final four outs without issues.
- Finding multi-inning work after the starter, Austin Pruitt(3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K) featured all four of his pitches effectively. Lou Trivino(1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 K) worked a clean 9th inning.
SDP 4 – COL 10
- In a rare relief appearance, Mike Clevinger(2.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 K) didn’t have his velocity, and the fastball sat nearly two ticks lower than in years past. Reiss Knehr(2.0 IP, 4 Ks) continued his scoreless streak for the final two frames. He finished the night with an impressive 38% CSW on 34 pitches.
- For Colorado, Carlos Estévez(1.0 IP, 1 BB) was pumping 99-mph heaters but didn’t strike anyone out. In the 9th inning, Jake Bird(1.0 IP, 2 K) pitched for the second time in two nights.
MIN 2 – ARI 7
- Finding bulk work after Minnesota starter Devin Smeltzer, Tyler Thornburg(2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 K) was effective but struggled with his command, and only 20 of his 33 pitchers went for strikes. Finally, down by five in the 9th, Tyler Duffey(1.0 IP) found work after not pitching since Monday.
- In the 7th inning, Madbum turned the ball over to Sean Poppen(1.0 IP, 1 K), who was looking for redemption after taking the loss on Tuesday. Following Poppen, Kyle Nelson(1.0 IP, 1 H) had another scoreless performance. In 22 appearances, Nelson carries a 20:3 K/BB ratio with a 1.80 ERA. Finally, J.B. Wendelken(1.0 IP, 1 K) only needed eight pitches to complete his outing.
CLE 2 – LAD 1
- Unavailable for tonight’s action, Emmanuel Clase had pitched back-to-back nights and three times in the last four days. So, Enyel De Los Santos(0.2 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) notched his first save. Before then, Anthony Gose(1.0 IP, 2 K) pitched well enough to earn his third win of the season.
- After five innings of one-run ball from starter Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers bullpen was steady until the 10th inning. Alex Vesia(1.1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K), Brusdar Graterol(1.2 IP, 2 K), and Daniel Hudson(1.0 IP) held Cleveland in check, but not so much for Evan Phillips(1.0 IP, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K). Phillips was credited with the loss after the inherited extra-innings runner scored via a sacrifice fly.
LAA 1 – SEA 8
- After giving up runs in the first four innings, the bullpen entered the 6th inning trailing by seven. Austin Warren(2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 K) scattered hits and danced around danger. Finally, Jack Mayfield(1.0 IP, 1 H) appeared. Yes, Jack Mayfield, the infielder, but probably a good maneuver since Tepera and Iglesias pitched on Thursday night.
- After a seven-inning gem by starter Robbie Ray, the Mariners only needed Penn Murfee(1.0 IP, 1 K) and Roenis Elías(1.0 IP, 1 H). For Murfee, after this appearance, he touts a 32% K-rate and 1.85 ERA in 24.1 innings of work.
TBR 0 – BAL 1
- Through six innings, Baltimore couldn’t touch starter Shane Baz. However, the same could not be said for Calvin Faucher(0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER), who was touched for the loss. Brooks Raley(0.2 IP, 2 K) and Luke Bard(1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K) kept the scoreboard empty, but it was too late.
- The Orioles bullpen was DEALING! Félix Bautista(1.1 IP, 3 K), Cionel Pérez(0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 K), and Jorge López(1.1 IP, 1 H, 4 K) combined to strike out eight of their twelve batters faced. López earned his 10th save, and Bautista and Pérez picked up holds.
MIL 5 – CIN 4
- With closer Josh Hader still on paternity leave, Milwaukee turned to Brad Boxberger(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) in the 9th inning. Even though it was a bit shaky, he earned his first save. In his usual 8th inning spot, Devin Williams(1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K) notched his 15th hold. This begs the question, should another save opportunity unfold, will it be Boxberger or Williams? My lean is Williams since Boxberger has pitched on back-to-back nights.
- Ughhhh. The Reds bullpen has become a bullpen by calamity. Usage patterns are everywhere, no clear-cut closer, and injuries galore. My advice, avoid this bullpen as much as possible. Although, they weren’t bad last night and combined for five innings of one-run ball.
SFG 2 – PIT 0
- The Giants bullpen relied on one arm, Camilo Doval(1.0 IP). His 11-pitch scoreless inning helped lock up save number ten. Additionally, Doval was feeling it as the cutter topped out at 100.7-mph.
- On the flip side, Pittsburgh needed a trio of RPs after a couple of lower-leverage arms like Cam Vieaux(1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 K) and Yerry De Los Santos(1.0 IP, 2 K), who both posted a CSW over 30%. Finally, Chase De Jong(2.0 IP, 1 H, 4 K) was also punching out batters at a high rate.
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 6/9: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds
Closing Time 6/14: Ranking the Top 40 Closers
Top 100 Relievers for Save+Hold Leagues: 6/17
Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)