+

Reliever Ranks – 8/2

Which relievers might be in line to vulture a save or win today?

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

 

  • 10 teams rested their bullpens thanks to the day off on Monday: TB, TOR, LAA, OAK, ATL, PHI, CHC, MIL, STL, PIT
  • The Rockies and Padres play a double header on Tuesday.

 

  • The Mets are expected to reinstate Trevor May from the IL today.
  • Will Smith was traded from Atlanta to Houston after Monday’s games. He should slot in somewhere behind Ryan Pressly in their hierarchy.

 

 

  • Jake Diekman traded his Sox colors, moving from Red to White. He’ll simply be another left handed option in the middle of games for Chicago. The Red Sox are expected to reinstate Matt Barnes from the IL soon, as he travelled with the team to Houston.
  • Cincinnati reinstated Hunter Strickland from the bereavement list and optioned Ryan Hendrix to make room on the roster.

 

  • Detroit reinstated Andrew Chafin from the restricted list and optioned Angel De Jesus in their corresponding move.
  • The Athletics traded away Lou Trivino to the Yankees on Monday, freeing up their closer position to fought over by the likes of A.J. Puk and Zach Jackson, at least until Dany Jiménez returns from his currently rehab stint. Trivino should simply move into a seventh or possibly eighth inning role for New York.

 

Yesterday’s Performances

 

BOS 3 – HOU – 2

  • Tanner Houck picked up his seventh save of the season after striking out one and facing the minimum three batters to complete his perfect ninth inning appearance. John Schreiber set up Houck nicely, collecting the previous five outs and scattering just a walk and a hit while striking out two of his own, good enough for his 16th hold of the year. It would appear Houck and Garrett Whitlock will share the ninth inning duties, based on the other’s workload (Whitlock had through 34 pitches on Sunday).
  • Rafael Montero pitched a perfect ninth inning himself. He’s done enough to hold the primary set up role in Houston, even with Will Smith being added to the roster.

 

CIN 3 – MIA 1

  • Hunter Strickland was reinstated from the bereavement list and was immedietly thrust back into final inning duties, recording his seventh save of the year despite allowing a run to score off two hits and a walk. Strickland did just enough to earn the save, striking out two batters along the way. It’s worth noting that Alexis Díaz threw 28 pitches on Sunday and was likely unavailable in this one, setting up Strickland’s timely return.

 

NYM 7 – WAS 3

  • Adam Ottavino and Joely Rodríguez combined for two and a third hitless innings to close out the Mets four run victory on Monday. Trevor May is expected to return to the mets bullpen on Tuesday, which should give Edwin Díaz added confidence of holding leads as they all work to set him up for success down the stretch.

 

SEA 2 – NYY 7

  • Aroldis Chapman worked a scoreless seventh inning on Monday, followed by perfect innings from Jonathan Loáisiga and Wandy Peralta. That marks four straight scoreless outing for Chapman, something he has not accomplished since the start of May. though a return to the ninth inning shouldn’t be completely ruled out, the addition of experienced closer Lou Trivino surely muddies the waters a bit more.

 

ARI 5 – CLE 6

  • Sam Hentges was the last man standing in Cleveland’s extra inning victory and was rewarded with his third win of the season for his trouble. Emmanuel Clase kept the fun going after pitching a perfect ninth inning. Though he only needed eight pitches to record his three outs, Clase has now seen time on the mound in back-to-back games and four of the past six days.
  • Mark Melancon took the loss after blowing the save for the Diamondbacks, his third of the year. Melancon allowed both ghost runners to score, one after coming into the game to start the 10th and the winning run in the 11th.

 

DET 3 – MIN 5

  • Jhoan Duran pushed his game into extra innings, striking out two during his perfect ninth inning of work, while Griffin Jax picked up his fifth win after finishing off the Tigers in the 10th.
  • Joe Jiménez continued his strong stretch with a scoreless seventh inning and his sixth hold. Michael Fulmer let things get away from him to the tune of four hits and two earned runs while recording just one out in the eighth inning. Ultimatly, Alex Lange would get credited with the loss (and the blown save) after giving up the winning run(s) in extra innings, allowing three runs (two earned) off two hits.

 

BAL 7 – TEX 2

  • The Texas bullpen got some work after starter Jon Jay was forced off the mound early. Jose LeClerc was first man up and recorded the next five outs to close out the second and third innings, scattering two hits. Garrett Richards took the bulk of the innings, pushing through the next three, but allowing two runs oiff four hits and a walk along the way. Brett Martin and Dennis Santana finished off the final three innings. The Rangers were without Matt Bush who was traded to Milwaukee.
  • Despite the five run victory, the Orioles were able to provide a save opportunity to their bullpen. Keegan Akin picked up his second save of the season after striking out three and allowing just one run to score off two hits and no walks through the final three innings of play. Jorge López has not pitched since Friday, so unless he’s actually traded I’d expect him to get some work in on Tuesday.

 

KC 2 – CWS 1

  • Scott Barlow picked up his 17th save of the season, adding to his trade value prior to Tuesday’s deadline. Barlow pitched through two full innings, needing 27 pitches to record the six outs, scattering two hits and striking out two. Dylan Coleman set up Barlow with a scoreless seventh inning, good for his ninth hold and should be watched as a replacement at closer in the event Kansas City parts ways with Barlow before the trade deadline.

 

COL 1 – SD 4

  • Luis Garcia picked up his second save, though one would expect he shouldn’t get used to the job after San Diego traded for Josh Hader on Monday. Nick Martinez returned from the paternity list and recorded his third hold of the season, recording four outs as he set up Garcia.

 

LAD 8 – SF 2

  • The Dodgers used five relievers on Monday after Andrew Heaney continued to be eased back into action, finishing just four innings to start the game. Newly acquired Chris Martin was the first man up, allowing a solo shot for his only hit in his fifth inning of work. Caleb Ferguson, Yency Almonte, David Price, and Phil Bickford each recorded a perfect inning each, though only Ferguson recorded a strikeout out of the bullpen. maybe that’s why he was credited with the win in this one.

 

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)

Adam Howe

Adam resides in Indianapolis after spending the better part of a decade in Oakland, CA and growing up in Massachusetts. He co-hosts the On The Wire podcast with Kevin Hasting, analyzing your weekly FAAB options before your bid deadlines every Sunday.

2 responses to “Reliever Ranks – 8/2”

  1. Big Mike says:

    Jon Jay is back in baseball and pitching for the Rangers now? I didn’t even know he could pitch.

  2. BB says:

    Surprised to see the predictions here and elsewhere that Trivino will play a major role in the Yankees pen. Fangraphs Roster Resource has him projected for middle relief, which seems more likely.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Account / Login