Reliever Ranks – 6/25

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

 

• All 30 teams are scheduled to play today, provided there are no weather-related postponements.
• On Monday(6/27), the following teams have off: TBR, DET, HOU, ATL, NYM, PHI, CHC, CIN, MIL, ARZ, SDP, and SFG. Potentially, we should see these teams pushing higher-leverage RPs through the weekend.

 

• The Philadelphia Phillies placed Connor Brogdon on the COVID IL and select Mark Appel for the bullpen.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Daniel Hudson on the 15-day IL and recalled Mitch White.

 

Yesterday’s Performances

 

CHC 3  – STL 0

• After a gem by Kyle Hendricks that lasted deep into the game, the Cubs only needed a pair of relievers to preserve the shutout. First, coming in to lock down the 8th inning was Chris Martin(0.2 IP). Finally, with a three-run lead in hand, they turned to closer David Robertson(1.0 IP, 1 K) for the final three outs. He was rewarded with his ninth save but will not be available tonight since he’s pitched the last three days. Look for Rowan Wick to get any save chances tonight.
• On the other side, the Cardinal’s bullpen was not to blame for the loss. Nick Wittgren(2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K) hurled 25 pitches after tossing nine the night before. Indeed, he’ll be unavailable for Saturday action.

 

NYM 5 – MIA 3

• Much like Chicago, the Mets starter Taijuan Walker posted six quality innings, and only a few RPs were utilized. Drew Smith(0.2 IP, 3 BB, 2 K) and Adam Ottavino(1.1 IP, 1 H) earned holds. Smith was a bit wild and labored through all 29 pitches, with only 14 going for a strike. Additionally, things got bumpy in the 9th as Edwin Díaz(1.0 IP, 2 H) danced around a lead-off single with help from a baserunning miscue from Jon Berti. For Díaz, the outing earned him save number 15.
• After three runs crossed home plate in the 6th inning, the Marlins bullpen had some work cut out for them. In impressive fashion, they responded by pitching the final two innings and not allowing a single baserunner. Dylan Floro(1.0 IP) threw 12 of 16 pitches for strikes, while Jimmy Yacabonis(1.0 IP, 3 K) looked unstoppable. In only 4.1 innings of work, Yacabonis currently has nine punchouts and a 0.92 WHIP. We need to see more of him!

 

HOU 3 – NYY 1

• Justin Verlander kept doing his thing and pitched another impressive seven innings. After seven strong, Phil Maton(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K) got out of the jam he created by sitting Giancarlo Stanton and Josh Donaldson down on strike three counts. The tough outing earned Maton his seventh hold. Finally, Rafael Montero(1.0 IP, 2 BB) completed the 9th inning and earned his fifth save. Notably, most of the high-leverage RPs had pitched on back-to-back nights, but the team turned to Montero. Ryan Pressly has struggled a bit lately, and we could see a changing of the guard at closer. Maybe.
• This game was a tight one all throughout, and the Yankees bullpen was tremendous. Miguel Castro(1.0 IP, 1 H) and Wandy Peralta(1.0 IP, 1 K) completed the final two innings to preserve the bullpen. For Castro, he pitched on back-to-back nights and will be unavailable for Saturday.

 

BOS 6 – CLE 3

• Apparently, the theme of Friday night was deep outings from the starters because Nick Pivetta lasted until the 7th inning. John Schreiber(1.o IP, 1 K) made quick work of the opposition and earned his 12th hold. He touts a 26:5 K/BB ratio in 22.1 innings of work. Finally, in a non-save situation, Tanner Houck(1.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 K) struggled with command but eventually got the job done.
• For Cleveland, it was a bit different. Sam Hentges(1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K) was the first RP to enter the game, and he did so in the 6th inning. Then, trouble happened, and Bryan Shaw(0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 1 BB) couldn’t escape the 7th inning. Needing another arm, Anthony Gose(0.1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB) didn’t offer up much help but completed the inning. At this point, the team was down by four runs, and lower-leverage RP Yohan Ramirez(2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) labored through the final six outs.

 

PIT 3 – TBR 4

• This one went into extras, which was bad news as the team was without standout RP Wil Crowe since he threw 42 pitches the night before. Instead, the Pirates found success with Chris Stratton(1.2 IP, 2 K) and Anthony Banda(1.1 IP, 1 K). Unfortunately, the same could not be said for Yerry De Los Santos(0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R), who allowed the starting runner on second to score.
• The Tampa Bay bullpen was lights out. No, like really lights out! Matt Wisler(1.0 IP, 2 K), Colin Poche(1.0 IP, 1 K), and Brooks Raley(1.0 IP, 3 K) combined for three scoreless frames and six punchouts before Jason Adams(1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K) shut things down in the 10th inning.

 

LAD 4 – ATL 1

• After six strong from Julio Urías, the Dodgers turned to a bevy of bullpen arms. Evan Phillips(1.0 IP) pitched a clean 7th inning. Daniel Hudson(0.1 IP, 1 H) earned his ninth hold but left with an injury. In short order, Brusdar Graterol(0.2 IP, 1 H) came in to keep the scoreboard quiet. Finally, as he’s done 13 times this season, Craig Kimbrel(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K) earned the save.
• The Braves deployed Collin McHugh(3.0 IP, 2 H, 3 K) in a piggyback-type of role after Ian Anderson struggled through four innings. Dylan Lee(1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) and Darren O’Day(0.2 IP, 1 K) completed the 8th and 9th inning. For Lee, in 14.2 innings of work, he’s touting a 0.61 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 12 strikeouts.

 

WSH 2, TEX 1

• Carl Edwards Jr.(1.2 IP, 1 BB) was credited with his first win(thanks to some timely scoring) as he was the first RP out of the pen. In the 8th inning, setup Kyle Finnegan(1.o IP, 1 H, 2 K) notched his 11th hold on 21 pitches with 14 for strikes. Finally, up by one, Tanner Rainey(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) kept things interesting, as he has been known to do, but induced a popout from Marcus Semien and forced Corey Seager to fly out. The outing earned him save number nine.
• The Rangers coughed up the lead late, and that was the deciding factor. Dennis Santana(0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 K) was the culprit and handed his third loss on the season. Additionally, Matt Bush(1.0 IP, 2 K) was pitched in the 7th inning.

 

OAK 1 – KCR 3

• After starter Cole Irvin got in some trouble in the 6th inning, Domingo Acevedo(1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 K) was brought in to stop the bleeding. He did so and stranded two of his inherited runners. Finally, Austin Pruitt(1.0 IP) tossed a scoreless 9th inning, but Oakland couldn’t muster anything offensively.
• The Royals helped Grienke earn his first victory with a trio of bullpen arms. Dylan Coleman(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K) and Jose Cuas(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) each earned save by keeping the zeros on the scoreboard. In the 9th inning, Scott Barlow(1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K) allowed a lead-off double but shut down Sean Murphy and Stephen Vogt with punchouts before inducing a ground out from Jed Lowrie. For Barlow, that’s save number nine and a much-needed better showing after blowing Tuesday’s save opportunity.

 

COL 1 – MIN 0

• Germán Márquez nearly went for the complete game but was yanked in the 8th inning. Colorado didn’t want to blow this one and elected to pitch closer Daniel Bard(1.1 IP) for the remainder. His dominance earned him another save, giving him 15 on the season. Even more impressive might be Bard’s 1.88 ERA and 35 Ks in 28.2 innings pitched.
• Since the Twins couldn’t figure out Márquez, the team didn’t get too crazy with the RPs. Instead, Tyler Duffey(2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K) and Tyler Thornburg(1.0 IP) found work. They managed to keep the scoreboard clean and give the higher-leverage arms a much-needed breather.

 

BAL 4 – CHW 1

• The Orioles knew going in that starter Austin Voth probably wasn’t going deep in this one. So, it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that Joey Krehbiel(2.1 IP, 3 K) pitched for multiple innings. He earned his third win in doing so. Cionel Pérez(1.1 IP, 1 K) grabbed an inning, and a third of work as well before Jorge López(1.0 IP) crafted a scoreless frame for save number 13. Additionally, if you’re looking to stream saves, López has pitched back-to-back nights, and that’ll likely signal Félix Bautista for any save chances tonight.
• Michael Kopech was solid for six innings but walked a few too many and allowed three runs to score. That was enough to take the bullpen out of the equation. Instead, Vince Velasquez(2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 K) and Matt Foster(1.0 IP) made appearances in the loss.

 

TOR 9  – MIL 4

• Alek Manoah earned his ninth win on the back of a performance lasting until the 7th inning. With the game out of hand late, lower-leverage RPS were utilized until Adam Cimber(0.2 IP) cleaned up the mess left by Jeremy Beasley(1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K).
• Since Toronto put five on the board in the 2nd inning and another three in the top of the 7th inning, the high-leverage arms go the night off.

 

SEA 4  – LAA 3

• The Mariners love to mix and match bullpen arms for matchup plays. Friday night was no exception as three RPs made appearances before Paul Sewald(1.0 IP, 1 K) notched his sixth save. Ryan Borucki(1.0 IP, 2 K), Erik Swanson(0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 K), and Andrés Muñoz(1.2 IP, 1 BB, 3 K) earned holds with scoreless outings of work.
• After starter Michael Lorenzen only went three innings, the bullpen had its work cut out for them. Newly-promoted Oliver Ortega(2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) allowed a dinger, and Aaron Loup(1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K) was left out there for 28 pitches. Additionally, it’s been quite a few days since Ryan Tepera or Raisel Iglesias pitched, so there’s a sporting chance we’ll see them tonight.

 

DET 5  – ARI 1

• Detroit received a solid outing from a starting pitcher, and all the high-leverage arms made an appearance. Alex Lange(0.2 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) walked a batter but held all inherited runners after that. Michael Fulmer(1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) grabbed a hold in this one, and Andrew Chafin(1.o IP) kept the basepaths clean. Additionally, it wasn’t a save chance, but Gregory Soto(1.0 IP, 2 K) pitched because he hadn’t since last Sunday.
• The D-back bats never woke up, and the bullpen went with a trio of lower-leverage arms after starter Merrill Kelly lasted six innings.

 

SDP 1  – PHI 0

• Nola gonna Nola and went seven innings with 10 Ks(in a loss). Since it was a nailbiter, José Alvarado(1.0 IP, 3 K) was the only other pitcher to take the mound for the Phillies.
• In the pitchers’ duel, Gore found success in five innings. However, Nabil Crismatt(2.0 IP, 1 K) earned his fourth W by being on the mound at the right time. Luis García(1.0 IP, 3 K) was darn near untouchable and struck out all three with only 12 pitches. Finally, grabbing his 22nd save, Taylor Rogers(1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) wasn’t sharp. After a pair of one-out singles, and a walk, he nearly cost the Padres, but Kyle Schwarber flew out to the center field.

 

CIN 4  – SFG 2

• When your starter goes eight innings and only allows two runs, you won’t need much bullpen. Furthermore, the Reds handed the ball to Hunter Strickland(1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 K), who earned his third save. Additionally, he’s pitched back-to-back nights and is likely unavailable tonight. Who’ll get any save chance on Saturday? I suppose Joel Kuhnel is the likeliest candidate, but Cincinnati has been quite off with usage patterns.
• Apparently, the Giants didn’t get the memo. The starting pitchers were supposed to all go deep into the game, but Alex Cobb didn’t make it out of the 5th inning. Jake McGee(1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 K) didn’t fare well in this one, and the team turned to Yunior Marte(3.0 IP, 2 K) for extra work.

 

 

Also, if you’re looking for a detailed list or ranking of RPs, check out Rick Graham’s weekly pieces:

The Hold Up 6/23: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds

Closing Time 6/21: 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)