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
- Six teams (TB, CLE, MIN, TEX, OAK, and MIL) were off on Thursday. Their bullpens should be good to go today for the most part.
- All 30 teams are in action today, provided there are no weather-related cancellations.
- The Giants have not yet announced a starter for tonight, so we could be looking at a bullpen game. Sam Long could be in the mix for multiple innings.
- The Reds put Luis Cessa on the IL after Game 1 of their doubleheader today as he injured his side in the seventh inning after facing only one batter. Cessa figures to be out until at least the all-star break, joining a long list of Reds relievers on the IL.
- A few minor transactions involving relievers occurred yesterday:
- Boston’s Tyler Danish, San Francisco’s José Álvarez, and Washington’s Reed Garrett were put on the IL.
- Arizona’s Sean Poppen was activated from the IL
- Toronto’s Max Castillo, Pittsburgh’s Eric Stout, Los Angeles Angels‘ José Marte, San Francisco’s Zack Littell, Michael Feliz, and Cincinnati’s Robert Dugger were recalled from the minors.
Yesterday’s Performances
PIT 4 – CIN 2 (Game 1)
- After Roansy Contreras gave them six strong innings, the Pirates turned Game 1 of their doubleheader with the Reds over to the bullpen. Duane Underwood Jr. and Wil Crowe picked up holds, though Crowe did give up a couple of hits and a run. David Bednar took over in the ninth and earned his 14th save of 2022.
- Mike Minor pitched into the seventh, but after giving up his fourth run of the game courtesy of a Jason Delay double, he gave way to Luis Cessa. Cessa lasted only one batter before an injury to his side forced him from the game and, ultimately, to the IL. Ian Gibaut took over and, along with Jared Solomon, who was called up for the doubleheader today, finished the game without further damage.
CIN 5 – PIT 1 (Game 2)
- Jeff Hoffman got the nominal start in a bullpen game for the Reds that worked out surprisingly well. Pittsburgh only managed one run versus the four relievers who threw for Cincinnati. In addition to Hoffman, Ross Detwiler, Robert Dugger, and Reiver Sanmartin spanned the game. Duggar, who was added for the game today, and Sanmartin covered the bulk of the game. Sanmartin got the win when the Reds pulled ahead in the seventh inning to stay. The tired and depleted Reds’ relief corp figure to have their hands full with a weekend series with the Rays on tap.
- Bryse Wilson was cruising until the seventh when a two-out error by Josh VanMeter extended the inning. Instead of moving on to the eighth, back-to-back singles and a run resulted in Pittsburgh calling on Chris Stratton. However, Stratton couldn’t stop the rally, and three more runs came across for the Reds. Eric Stout pitched a scoreless eighth, but the Buccos were cooked. Stratton may not be able to go tonight, having thrown both Wednesday and Thursday.
HOU 5 – KC 2
- The Astros turned to the pen to start the seventh inning after Justin Verlander left with a 3-2 lead. The bullpen trio of Phil Maton, Rafael Montero, and Ryan Pressly did their jobs well and kept the Royals off the board the rest of the way. Maton earned his ninth hold and Montero his 13th, while Pressly picked up his 18th save.
- Royals’ starter Kris Bubic left after getting the first out of the sixth and was replaced by Wyatt Mills, who finished the inning. Dylan Coleman pitched a scoreless seventh; however, Jose Cuas struggled in the eighth. Cuas loaded the based on two singles and a walk, then gave up two runs off a sac fly and a double by Aledmys Díaz. The insurance runs surely made Ryan Pressly’s job easier in the ninth. Cuas has pitched in back-to-back games, so he may not be available tonight.
PHI 5 – WAS 3
- Bailey Falter left after only four innings, but the Phillies’ bullpen was up to the task. Four relievers covered the final five innings, allowing only one run to score. Nick Nelson, who pitched the fifth and sixth, picked up the win in relief. José Alvarado struck out the side in the seventh, earning his seventh hold of the season. Brad Hand also nabbed a hold, though he did allow a run off an HBP and a double. Seranthony Domínguez closed the game out for his third save of the year.
- Joan Adon was recalled from the minors to start and didn’t fare too well against Philadelphia’s offense, allowing four earned runs over four innings. The Nationals bullpen pitched the final four innings with only Steve Cishek allowing a run off a Darick Hall homer. In addition to Cishek, Andres Machado, Jordan Weems, and Mason Thompson each got in an inning of work.
NYY 6 – BOS 5
- The Yankees bullpen held on after the Red Sox chipped away at Gerrit Cole to bring the score to 6-5 after six innings. Wandy Peralta, Michael King, and Clay Holmes covered the seventh through the ninth, denying the Red Sox any more runs. Peralta and King recorded holds, and Holmes earned his sixteenth save. Peralta may not be able to go tonight after pitching in back-to-back games.
- Red Sox starter Josh Winckowski lasted only five innings, ceding six earned runs in the process. Boston’s bullpen gave them a chance, though, holding the Yanks in check over the final four innings. Matt Strahm, John Schreiber, Ryan Brasier, and Austin Davis got in some work. Davis has thrown in two straight.
NYM 10 – MIA 0
- The Mets only needed one reliever in this one after swingman Trevor Williams cruised for seven shutout innings. Jake Reed mopped up the game, throwing two scoreless innings.
- On the other hand, Miami’s bullpen got a workout after Daniel Castano lasted only four innings. He was followed by Jimmy Yacabonis, Zach Pop, Richard Bleier, and Tommy Nance. The latter three pitchers fared well, but Yacabonis got roughed up in the fifth when J.D. Davis hit a grand salami off him. Pop and Bleier’s availability for tonight is in question as they’ve gone in two straight.
BAL 4 – LAA 1
- The Orioles’ bullpen threw three innings of one-hit ball in relief of Jordan Lyles. Lyles started the seventh, but after a leadoff double, Joey Krehbiel replaced him. Krehbiel couldn’t keep the run from scoring but finished the inning without further damage. Cionel Pérez picked up his 11th hold with a 1-2-3 eighth, and Jorge López closed the game out with his 15th save. Félix Bautista could have an opportunity to vulture a save tonight as Lopez has thrown 31 pitches over the past two nights.
- Chase Silseth pitched into the fifth but didn’t record an out before putting two men on and giving way to Andrew Wantz. Wantz finished the inning, but not before letting his two inherited runners score. José Marte, Elvis Peguero, and Aaron Loup covered the last three innings. The trio held the Orioles in check, allowing no further runs.
DET 2 – CHW 1
- Beau Brieske and three relievers held on to beat the White Sox in a pitcher’s duel. Brieske pitched into the seventh before giving way to Alex Lange, Andrew Chafin, and Gregory Soto. Soto made it interesting in the ninth, giving up a couple of hits and a run before finally closing the game out for his 17th save. Lange and Chafin earned holds but may not be available tonight after throwing back-to-back.
- Dylan Cease went six innings and left trailing 1-0. The White Sox turned to Jimmy Lambert for the seventh and eighth innings and Tanner Banks for the ninth. Lambert pitched well, but Banks allowed a run across on a Spencer Torkelson RBI single.
STL 3 – ATL 2 (11 Innings)
- The Cardinals’ bullpen had to go seven innings last night after rookie starter Matthew Liberatore was pulled after four scoreless innings. Jordan Hicks pitched the fifth and sixth before Giovanny Gallegos came on in the seventh and surrendered a HR to Michael Harris II, which tied the game at 1-1. Junior Fernández and Ryan Helsley pitched the Cards into extra innings. Helsley allowed the inherited runner to score in the tenth, which tied the game at 2-2, but earned the win when St. Louis scored again in the eleventh. Packy Naughton earned his first career save closing out the eleventh. Helsley threw 26 pitches over two and 1/3 innings and thus may not be available again this evening. Gallegos may not be available either, as he’s gone in two straight.
- Spencer Strider was impressive for the Braves again, throwing six shutout innings with 12 strikeouts. Will Smith relieved him in the seventh and promptly gave up a double and single for the game’s first run. Darren O’Day, Dylan Lee, and A.J. Minter held the Cardinals scoreless and got the Braves to extra innings. Tyler Matzek pitched the tenth and 11th innings, allowing both inherited runners to score, and taking the loss despite not being charged with an earned run.
COL 4 – ARI 3
- Austin Gomber went five innings and turned the game over to the Rockies’ pen with the score tied 3-3. Robert Stephenson, Lucas Gilbreath, Carlos Estévez, and Daniel Bard held the D’backs in check the rest of the way en route to the win. Estevez grabbed the win, and Bard earned his 17th save of 2022. Bard may need tonight off as he’s thrown in back-to-back games.
- Dallas Keuchel gave the Diamondbacks seven innings and was relieved by Noé Ramirez in the eighth. Ramirez did his job, but Mark Melancon, tasked with keeping the Rockies off the board in the ninth, did not. It only took the Rockies two batters to score off Melancon, who took his seventh loss of the season. Melancon has struggled this year but is probably safe for now.
SEA 8 – TOR 3
- Marco Gonzales pitched into the seventh, holding the Jays to three runs (two earned), and won his fifth game. Penn Murfee and Diego Castillo followed him with two and 1/3 scoreless innings to close out the victory for the Mariners.
- Anthony Banda served as the opener Thursday but only got one out before heading to the showers. He was followed by Casey Lawrence, who went two and 2/3 innings but was hit hard. By the start of the fourth, the Mariners had already put seven runs on the board. Sergio Romo, Max Castillo, and Trevor Richards covered the remaining innings, allowing only a Eugenio Suárez HR off Castillo.
LAD 5 – CHC 3
- Tony Gonsolin improved his record to 11-0 with seven strong innings allowing only two runs. The Dodgers used four relievers over the final two innings to close out the game. Brusdar Graterol and Phil Bickford each earned holds after pitching a combined eighth inning. Graterol threw only four pitches before leaving with a sore right side. This could be another big loss for an L.A. bullpen already decimated by injuries. Craig Kimbrel came on in the ninth and got into trouble after striking out the first two batters. Ian Happ singled, and Seiya Suzuki doubled to cut the lead to 5-3. After a wild pitch and a walk to Patrick Wisdom, Dave Roberts had seen enough and brought in Alex Vesia, who closed out the game for his first save of the year. Despite Kimbrel’s struggles, the Dodgers don’t have much choice but to give him a long leash right now with all their injuries.
- The Cubs’ pen covered the final three innings after Mark Leiter Jr. left after five down 4-2. The Dodgers didn’t score off Scott Effross or Brandon Hughes, but Mookie Betts homered off Michael Rucker in the eighth for an important insurance run.
SD 2 – SF 1 (10 Innings)
- Logan Webb and Joe Musgrove went mano-e-mano in Thursday’s last game of the evening. Musgrove departed after seven scoreless, and Luis Garcia grabbed his 14th hold in the eighth. However, Taylor Rogers couldn’t close it out, blowing his fifth save of the year after a clutch RBI by Brandon Crawford. The Padres would prevail in the tenth, though. Nabil Crismatt won the game after keeping the Giants off the board in the top of the inning. Rogers has had his struggles since May and could be in jeopardy of losing his job should he not turn it around.
- Following Logan Webb, who went eight strong innings, was Mauricio Llovera, who pitched a scoreless ninth. Jarlín García took the loss in the tenth after giving up two hits and allowing the inherited runner to score.
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 6/30: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday
Closing Time 7/5: Ranking the Top 40 Closers
Top 100 Relievers for Save+Hold Leagues: 7/1
Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)