Reliever Ranks – 8/15

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

 

• For Monday, 26 teams take the field, with the following getting a day off: BOS, PIT, STL, and COL. Included, there is a doubleheader between DET and CLE.
• The next off day will be on Thursday, and the following won’t play: CLE, DET, MIN, LAA, SEA, MIA, PHI, and CIN.

 

• The Cleveland Guardians reinstated James Karinchak from the restricted list.
• The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to place Corey Knebel on the 15-day IL.

 

• The following relievers will be unavailable after pitching back-to-back days: Anthony Bass(TOR), Emilio Pagán(MIN), Kenley Jansen(ATL), José Quijada(LAA), Matt Bush(MIL), Taylor Rogers(MIL), and Dylan Floro(MIA).

 

 

LAD 0 – KCR 4

• The Dodgers got six innings from starter Tyler Anderson and didn’t need much bullpen help. Alex Vesia pitched a one-strikeout scoreless 7th inning, and closer Craig Kimbrel stopped by for the following inning. For Kimbrel, it was a non-save opportunity that didn’t go as planned when Vinnie Pasquantino took him deep. Both relievers hadn’t made an appearance since Wednesday.
• The Royals pen preserved the shutout with Amir Garrett striking out three in the 7th inning and Dylan Coleman fanning one in his 0.2 innings of work. Both were credited with holds. Finally, for an inning and an out, Scott Barlow earned save #19, while also striking out three batters.

 

CHC 5 – CIN 8

• The bullpen didn’t factor much in this one as the Reds tossed eight runs on the board by the 5th inning. Starter Keegan Thompson and Anderson Espinoza were the main culprits. Michael Rucker tossed in 1.2 innings of less than impressive work as well but did strike out three. Finally, Kervin Castro pitched the final two innings with no runs.
• Cincinnati’s starter Justin Dunn struggled as well. This prompted an early appearance from Reiver Sanmartin in the 4th inning. However, they settled things down with Joel Kuhnel, Buck Farmer, and Hunter Strickland. The trio combined for 2.1 innings of no-run ball but allowed plenty of base runners. Furthermore, Kuhnel scooped up the win, while Farmer and Strickland acquired holds. Alexis Díaz came in for the last five outs and earned his fifth save.

 

SDP 6 – WSH 0

• Padres starter Blake Snell pitched a six-inning, ten-strikeout gem. Following his excellence, Nick Martinez skated around three hits in two innings of work while allowing no runs. Finally, up big and with the Nationals mustering zero offense, Robert Suarez struck out a batter in his lone inning.
• Víctor Arano and Jake McGee pitched scoreless three-out performances in the 7th and 8th innings. However, the same could not be said for Tyler Clippard, who gave up two hits and two walks. Additionally, two runs were able to cross home plate.

 

CLE 7 – TOR 2

• The Cleveland pen was as impressive as starter Shane Bieber’s seven-inning gem. In the 8th inning, Trevor Stephan worked a clean inning with a pair of Ks to grab hold #9. Making an appearance in a non-save spot, Emmanual Clase tossed a 1-2-3 innings as he found work for the first time since Wednesday.
• For Toronto, starter Kevin Gausman didn’t make it out of the 5th inning. This meant a flurry of lower leverage arms would make an appearance. Although, they faired pretty well. David Phelps, Trevor Richards, and Anthony Bass pitched 3.1 innings without allowing a run. Things came crashing down again when Trent Thornton gave up two earned runs on three hits in the 9th inning.

 

BAL 1 – TBR 4

• Baltimore starter Jordan Lyles punched out nine batters but surrendered four earned before the fifth inning. Following Lyles, Joey Krehbiel and Keegan Akin hurled three scoreless innings between them. The final two outs belonged to Logan Gillaspie, as the team preserved its primary arms for the week ahead.
• Rays starter Drew Rasmussen nearly had a complete game(8.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 7 K). Jason Adams struck out the only two batters faced and notched his sixth save of the season.

 

PHI 0 – NYM 6

• After an uncharacteristic six innings from Zack Wheeler, the team found itself in a six-run deficit. They turned to Corey Knebel, who walked a pair and only record one out. Luckily, Andrew Bellatti was sharp and finished the next two off. In the 8th inning, Brad Hand struck out two in his only frame.
• First out of the pen was Trevor Williams, who pitched two scoreless frames in the 6th and 7th inning. Next up, Mychal Givens K’d a pair while allowing one hit. In the 9th, Joely Rodríguez couldn’t escape as he put three men on base. Adam Ottavino came on to strike out the final batter and halt any chances of a comeback.

 

ATL 3 – MIA 1

• Atlanta got a surprisingly great start from Bryce Elder, who notched ten Ks in seven strong innings. However, Tyler Matzek vultured the W in his scoreless inning. Finally, picking up the save (for the third night in a row), Kenley Jansen allowed a base runner but struck out Nick Fortes to end the game.
• Miami starter Braxton Garrett didn’t allow a run through six innings. Following Garrett, Dylan Floro and Steven Okert earned holds as the pair danced around two base runners each but didn’t allow anyone to cross home plate. Up by one run, Tanner Scott blew his fifth save with walks and an HR leading to three earned runs.

 

OAK 3 – HOU 6

• For Oakland, Cole Irvin pitched deep into the game again but was touched up for five earned runs. Even with a full bullpen of rested arms, the team pitched Austin Pruitt for the final six outs. He didn’t allow any runs.
• Houston starter Cristian Javier earned his 7th win in a six-inning performance. In the 7th, Héctor Neris struck out two and walk one over 15 pitches. Then, the bullpen started to struggle as Will Smith and Rafael Montero combined to allow three runs in 1.1 innings. Thankfully, Houston had Ryan Pressly in their back pocket. He ended Oakland’s rally and earned his 23rd save.

 

DET 3 – CHW 5

• Detroit’s pen was great in the 6th and 7th inning. Jason Foley and Alex Lange tossed scoreless frames and kept the team within shouting distance. However, in the bottom of the 8th inning, Wily Peralta coughed up two earned runs (and an HR).
• After six innings from starter Lance Lynn, the bullpen found themselves with a lead. They turned the ball over to Jimmy Lambert and Jake Diekman for the next two innings, with neither allowing a run. Finally, Kendall Graveman picked up save #6, but it was a bumpy one. He allowed a pair of hits, including a solo shot to Harold Castro.

 

MIL 3 – STL 6

• Continuing his struggles, Taylor Rogers allowed four earned runs in less than an inning of work. The outing basically sunk the Brewers and negated the sold six-inning start from Aaron Ashby or the three strikeouts in the 7th inning from Matt Bush. Hopefully, Rogers figures out his woes because his ERA has ballooned to five.
• Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas lasted through the 8th inning. Following Miles, Ryan Helsley was the only bullpen arm utilized. Although, he had some issues. Rowdy Tellez took him deep with two out, but Helsley got the last laugh as he induced a Hunter Renfroe ground out to end the game.

 

SEA 3 – TEX 5

• For the Mariners, Matt Brash was tarnished with the loss after allowing two earned runs in the 7th inning. Erik Swanson came on to end the scoring with a strikeout. Finally, Diego Castillo struck out a pair in his only inning of work.
• On the flip side, Josh Sborz was his first game with a two-inning(7th and 8th inning) performance that included five Ks. With a two-run lead in the 9th inning, an old familiar face grabbed his first save of the season, José Leclerc.

 

ARI 7 – COL 4

• In the 6th inning, Chris Devenski danced around a pair of baserunners but struck out one to escape damage. Former closer Mark Melancon couldn’t get the job done in the 8th inning as he put two men on and allowed an earned run. Finally, up by three, Ian Kennedy closed this one down by striking out Elehuris Montero for save #8.
• Colorado’s starter Ryan Feltner gave up runs in the 1st, 3rd, and 4th inning. Not good. Following Feltner, Austin Gomber hurled 2.2 innings but scattered hits and allowed an earned run. Finally, Dinelson Lamet found two innings of work late. He faired well and struck out a batter.

 

PIT 7 – SFG 8

• Pirates starter Zach Thompson got rocked through four innings. Additionally, the bullpen didn’t help as they allowed three runs in the final three innings. Wil Crowe allowed two earned runs in his 1.1 innings of work. However, there was a bright spot, though. Manny Bañuelos struck out a pair in his only inning, which was scoreless.
• First out of the pen, John Brebbia couldn’t record a single out before allowing three earned runs.  However, things settled down nicely after that. Jarlín García and Dominic Leone struck out five over the next two innings. Finally, thanks to a timely comeback, closer Camilo Doval earned the W. Although, he gave up three baserunners and an unearned run.

 

MIN 2 – LAA 4

• Twins starter Chris Archer only lasted four innings and left without the lead. Following Archer, Trevor Megill worked a scoreless pair of innings. In the 8th, Michael Fulmer struggled to put away batters and allowed three hits (one earned run). Finally, Emilio Pagán struck out a pair in his lone inning.
• After six strong innings from Tucker Davidson, Jaime Barria notched two scoreless frames with a pair of Ks. Then, up by two, José Quijada made save #3 look easy with one strikeout in 11 pitches(7 strikes).

 

NYY 0 – BOS 3

• The Yankees only needed one RP in this one. Jonathan Loáisiga threw a perfect 1-2-3 innings as the bullpen got a much-needed maintenance day.
• Much like New York, not much bullpen was needed. After seven innings for starter Michael Wacha, Ryan Brasier earned hold #8 by pitching a clean inning. Additionally, Garrett Whitlock earned his fourth save as he sat two batters down via strike three calls.

 

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: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday

Closing Time: Ranking the Top 30 Closers

Top 100 Relievers for Save+Hold Leagues

 

Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)