Reliever Ranks – 7/31

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

 

• Today’s schedule: All 30 teams are in action for the third consecutive day.
• 10 teams are anticipating a day off on Monday: TB, TOR, LAA, OAK, ATL, PHI, CHC, MIL, STL, PIT
• The next doubleheader on the MLB schedule is the Rockies and Padres on Tuesday. This is the only doubleheader scheduled until next Saturday, and both Colorado and San Diego play on Monday.

 

• TOR: Trent Thornton was recalled from the minors; the 28-year-old has over two years of MLB service. Reliever Max Castillo was optioned to Triple-A in a subsequent move
• TB: Jalen Beeks was activated from the 15-day IL, while Angel Perdomo was designated for assignment. Luke Bard was also optioned to the minors to make room for the newly-acquired outfielder David Peralta.
• SEA: Tommy Milone was placed on the 15-day IL.
• PHI: Mark Appel was recalled from the minors. (Appel’s comeback story continues!)
• LAA: Touki Toussaint was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake City.
• COL: Jordan Sheffield was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque (while Colorado’s Daniel Bard is pitching with a fresh two-year extension).
• CHC: Mark Leiter Jr. was recalled from Triple-A Iowa

 

• CIN: Andrew Moore was traded from the Mariners to the Reds in the Luis Castillo deal.
• STL: JoJo Romero was traded from the Phillies to the Cardinals.

 

 

TB 6 – CLE 4

• Tampa Bay cashed in two holds and a save in their two-run victory, anchored by Pete Fairbanks (1 IP, 2 H, 0 R) and just his second save of the year. Jason Adam (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Colin Poche (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) picked up the two remaining innings, helping to secure a six-inning win for starter Corey Kluber. The Rays should have a fresh Brooks Raley and Ryan Thompson available today; neither have pitched since Wednesday.
• Sam Hentges (1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and Enyel De Los Santos (1 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R) covered all of Cleveland’s relief work on Saturday, each pitching with at least a two-run deficit. The two-run loss did allow rest for bullpen leaders Emmanuel Clase and Trevor Stephan, each throwing a respective 12 and 13 pitches on Friday.

 

NYY 8 – KC 2

• There was minimal late-inning leverage in this one; the Yankees took an early 6-2 lead and it would only grow from there. Aroldis Chapman (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) shut down the sixth inning, pitching in consecutive days. Clarke Schmidt (3 IP, 2 H, 0 R) tossed in long relief, striking out five and reaching the three-inning threshold needed to earn a save (despite pitching with a six-run lead). Closer Clay Holmes has not thrown since Thursday, while Jonathan Loáisiga hasn’t pitched since four pitches on Wednesday.
• Kansas City needed 4 2/3 relief innings on Saturday. Just two of their eight runs allowed were tabbed to the bullpen; setup guy Josh Staumont (2/3 IP, 0 H, 2 BB, 1 R) did not adjust well to that lower-leverage work. Amir Garrett (2 BF, 1 BB, 1 K) closed out Staumonts’s frame, while Joel Payamps (2 IP, 2 H, 1 R) ate some innings to preserve the relief core. Wyatt Mills (1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H) had the best day of the Royals’ relievers, striking out three of the six batters he faced.

 

TOR 5 – DET 3

• Late inning saves and holds were in order in Detroit. Jordan Romano (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) earned his 23rd save of the season after collecting his 22nd just two days ago. Yimi Garcia served as the five-out bridge (1 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R), while late run scoring put Trevor Richards (2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R) in line for the win. Adam Cimber (1 1/3 IP, 3 H, 1 R) had one of his tougher outings of the year, lifting his ERA to a still-commendable 3.07.
• Detroit called upon Derek Law in the sixth inning for his Tigers debut (1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, *0 ER), and despite allowing a home run, none of his runs were earned. A lower leverage committee of Angel De Jesus (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and José Cisnero (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) rounded out the eighth and ninth, allowing some rest for Gregory Soto and Michael Fulmer after both pitched on Friday.

 

MIL 9 – BOS 4

• Excluding a tough 1/3 innings by Hoby Milner (3 H, 3 R), the Brewers were able to record 3 2/3 frames of scoreless relief work. Devin Williams (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) earned his 25th hold of the year, while Brad Boxberger (2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R) earned his 19th. No saves were recorded after Milwaukee posted three runs in the top of the ninth, but Jandel Gustave (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) still posted a zero in the final half. Williams has now thrown 46 pitches in two days, so he will likely not pitch today and potentially Monday. Josh Hader threw 22 pitches on Friday and rested up in a five-run victory.
• Boston allowed five runs in four relief innings, opening their bullpen with Kaleb Ort (2 IP, 2 H, 1 R), followed by Jake Diekman (1/3 IP, 0 H, 1 R) and Ryan Brasier (1 IP, 2 H, 2 R). Damage continued off Boston’s final reliever, Hirokazu Sawamura (2/3 IP, 1 H, 1 R), and Milwaukee found a way to score in six of nine innings. Boston’s Tanner Houck, John Schreiber and Garrett Whitlock should be good to go in the Sunday series finale.

 

NYM 4 – MIA 0

• A 7 2/3-inning performance by Carlos Carrasco did wonders for a Mets bullpen that was used quite heavily on Friday. Seth Lugo (1 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R) was the only reliever used on Saturday, and a shutout performance didn’t even need the services of Edwin Díaz, Adam Ottavino or Trevor Williams. All three pitched on Friday and should be rested for potential action today.
• Miami saved their bullpen with 2 2/3 innings by Huascar Brazoban (2 H, 1 R). Richard Bleier (1 1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R) was the only other reliever used, helping the Miami bullpen replenish after nearly emptying the tank on Friday. Closer Tanner Scott threw 30 pitches on Thursday and should be back in business today.

 

CIN 8 – BAL 2

• The Reds needed three innings of low-leverage relief to shut this one down, but all three of their relievers did a great job. Reiver Sanmartin (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), Ross Detwiler (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Ryan Hendrix (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) closed out a six-run victory with three innings of scoreless work, allowing closer Alexis Díaz two days of rest after back-t0-back appearances on Wednesday and Thursday.
• Beau Sulser (3 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 R) was the only Orioles reliever to pitch on Saturday, capping off the final 14 batters. Four of Baltimore’s top relievers threw a combined 65 pitches on Friday, so a minor silver lining after a tough Saturday is a rested-up relief core.

 

SEA 5 – HOU 4

• Our first of five one-run games on Saturday; the Mariners used a combined four relievers for 17 total batters. Paul Sewald (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) earned save number 13 with a perfect ninth, lowering his ERA to a 2.72. Erik Swanson (1 IP, 2 H, 0 R) pitched around some traffic and dropped his to a 1.20, while Ryan Borucki (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) tossed a perfect seventh of his own. This game was more threatening in the sixth with Matthew Festa (2/3 IP, 4 H, 2 R), but the 10 batters that followed were largely stifled.
• Two relief innings were needed out of Houston, but the effort did little to preserve a seven-inning start by Framber Valdez. Rafael Montero carved his way through the eighth (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R), but Ryan Pressly’s fourth blown save of the year (1 IP, 2 H, 2 R) pushed the Mariners on top. Héctor Neris could find himself in a save situation today; both Montero and Pressly pitched Thursday and Saturday.

 

WSH 7 – STL 6

• The Nationals had their way with some saves and holds; Kyle Finnegan (1 2/3 IP, 0 H 0 R) earned his fourth save of the year, while Carl Edwards Jr. (1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R) posted his ninth hold despite a short and rocky outing. Erasmo Ramirez collected the win (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), while Hunter Harvey (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) had one of the more dominant showings with two strikeouts in a perfect frame. Steve Cishek may need to record multiple outs on Sunday given the restless Washington bullpen, but he also threw 39 pitches on Wednesday.
• St. Louis had a blown save from Génesis Cabrera (1 IP, 1 H, 2 R), and his two runs allowed in the eighth inning proved decisive. Johan Oviedo tossed a perfect lower-leverage ninth (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), while Jordan Hicks (1 IP, 0 H, 1 R) earned a hold prior to the blown save. Closer Ryan Helsley has not pitched since Wednesday, and Jordan Hicks might need to throw on back-to-back days after throwing just 11 pitches on Saturday.

 

MIN 7 – SD 4

• No saves were had in this one, but three holds – one each to Emilio Pagán (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), Trevor Megill (1/3 IP, 2 H, 0 R) and Griffin Jax (2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R) – preserved a comfortable lead before a sour ninth inning. High-leverage reliever Tyler Duffey was used in lower leverage, allowing some ninth-inning damage (1 IP, 1 H, 3 R) with all of his runs earned. Jhoan Duran has not pitched since throwing 32 pitches on Tuesday, while Joe Smith also hasn’t thrown in the past four days.
• The Padres saw a six-inning start out of Joe Musgrove largely negated after a tough showing by Adrian Morejon (1/3 IP, 3 H, 4 R). San Diego’s bullpen saw some great performances by Nabil Crismatt (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Michel Baez (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), but a 2/3-inning showing by Dinelson Lamet (2 H, 1 R) capped off a five-run eighth inning by Minnesota. A combined eight runs were scored between both teams in the final two innings.

 

PHI 2 – PIT 1

• Our truest pitching duel of the day: the Phillies used three relievers in a four-inning effort, allowing just one run on one hit. Damage came off seventh-inning reliever Jose Alvarado (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R), but a great showing by Andrew Bellatti (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Corey Knebel (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R) anchored the extra-inning win. Knebel was even able to strand the Pirates’ extra-inning bonus runner on second, definitely earning himself a win.
• Pittsburgh carved through the seventh, eighth and ninth inning, giving one frame a piece to Manny Banuelos (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R), Duane Underwood Jr. (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Wil Crowe (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R). Crowe and Underwood have pitched in back-to-back days, as has Yerry De Los Santos, the 10th-inning arm that took a loss due to his unearned ‘ghost’ runner scoring. Pittsburgh could be running on bullpen fumes today, or at least hoping a tag-team of under-rested Chris Stratton, Dillon Peters and closer David Bednar can ease them into the Monday off day.

 

CWS 3 – OAK 2

• The White Sox walked this one off so closer Liam Hendriks (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) went home with a win after a scoreless top of the ninth. Jimmy Lambert (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) was the only other reliever used, and a seven-inning start by Johnny Cueto helped out the White Sox bullpen stay rested. After a heavily-used Tuesday and Wednesday, the White Sox have a relief core in a far different place of recovery compared to a few days ago.
• Oakland went to work leading 2-0 in the seventh, but a short outing by Austin Pruitt (1/3 IP, 2 H, 2 R) surrendered the lead. Sam Moll (1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R) was able to push the A’s back in favorable territory, but a walk-off wild pitch from Zach Jackson (1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 R) sealed this ballgame in a far-from-favorable manner. Oakland’s A.J. Puk earned their only hold of the day (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), but also had to dance around two walks.

 

ATL 6 – ARI 2

• Atlanta carved through the seventh and eighth with Jesse Chavez (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Tyler Matzek (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), but low-leverage action did not treat setup man A.J. Minter well in the ninth (1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER). Minter’s ERA remains at a strong 2.76, and he could remain a viable option for saves in the event Kenley Jansen isn’t available. Will Smith could find himself in a save situation this afternoon given the rest of others in the Atlanta bullpen.
• Arizona’s Caleb Smith (2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER) allowed Atlanta’s final runs of the day. Noe Ramirez (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) struck out three batters in a dominant eighth and Tyler Holton (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) pitched the ninth allowing one baserunner. Momentum was lost early by the Diamondbacks, however, and bullpen leaders Joe Mantiply, Ian Kennedy and Mark Melancon still haven’t seen a lot of work since the All-Star Break.

 

COL 5 – LAD 3

• The Coors Bullpen! Colorado found a way to anchor three scoreless innings, riding Lucas Gilbreath (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), Alex Colomé (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and the newly-extended Daniel Bard (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) from the seventh inning on. Bard collected his 22nd save of the year, while Gilbreath and Colomé earned holds number nine and seven, respectively. The trio threw a combined 34 pitches, so any one of them could find themselves pitching in back-to-back days today.
• Clayton Kershaw was able to record one out in the sixth inning before being pulled; all five of the Rockies runs scored off him, but only three were earned. Caleb Ferguson (1 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Jake Reed (1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R) saw a combined five batters while Phil Bickford (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) posted a scoreless ninth. The Dodgers are still working around 29 pitches from Craig Kimbrel on Friday (along with 18 pitches that day from setup man Evan Phillips), so it could be Alex Vesia in line for a save at elevation as the series finale commences. Yency Almonte could make another big statement against his old team, too.

 

SF 5 – CHC 4

• San Francisco’s Dominic Leone earned his third save of the year (1 IP, 1 H, 1 R), doing so in his third appearance in three days. Camilo Doval and John Brebbia had each pitched on Thursday and Friday, and both could remain as an ‘if needed’ option for today. The Giants rounded out their stronger Saturday relief work with Tyler Rogers (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R), but a tough showing by Jarlin García (1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R) and Yunior Marte (1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 2 R) made this one a far closer contest.
• The Cubs called up Mark Leiter Jr. on Saturday and he promptly faced 10 batters (2 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R), doing his job and proving his value to stay in the bigs (a place where playing time could ramp up if trade deadline deals ensue). Recent call-up Steven Brault (1 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R) also did a great job, and the landscape of the Cubs bullpen saw some security with these new guys. David Robertson rested after throwing 20 pitches on Friday, as did Mychal Givens (14 pitches on Friday) and Scott Effross (23).

 

LAA 9 – TEX 7

• The West Coast nightcap featured two Angels relievers: Saturday call-up long reliever Touki Toussaint (4 IP, 2 H, 2 R) and closer Raisel Iglesias (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R). A ninth-inning walk and hit off Iglesias made this one interesting, but he settled in to post a zero and record his 16th save of the year. He pitched 26 pitches, however, so Ryan Tepera could be a candidate for a Sunday save or at least a prime hold opportunity.
• Texas went to work with José Leclerc (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R) for the sixth and seventh, but a brief eighth-inning showing by Dennis Santana (1/3 IP, 2 H, 3 R) pushed the Angels within striking distance of a comeback. That narrative became reality with a blown save by Brett Martin (2/3 IP, 1 H, 2 R), and a five-run eighth inning left a sour taste in the Texas bullpen. Matt Moore and Matt Bush pitched in three games between Tuesday and Friday, so a deep start by a Rangers pitcher in the coming days could pay dividends.

 

Bullpen Depth Charts