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 in action today for a typical Sunday slate of games.
- 22 of 30 teams have Monday off.
- The eight teams in action on Monday – BAL, BOS, NYY, TOR, ATL, WSH, CIN, and PIT – could run thin on bullpen arms early this week compared to other teams.
- As the world turns to Aaron Judge’s at-bats today in his home run chase, the opposing Red Sox have a relatively-taxed bullpen after a close contest on Saturday.
- LAD: Andre Jackson was recalled from the minors in the wake of starter Dustin May being placed on the injured list.
- DET: Joe Jiménez was placed on the 15-day injured list (right lumbar spine). Angel De Jesus was recalled in a subsequent move.
- COL: Rockies setup man Alex Colomé was reinstated from the bereavement list; Colorado optioned recent call-up Noah Davis to Triple-A.
- CHW: Joe Kelly was reinstated from the Family Medical Emergency List, with rookie Tanner Banks optioned to the minors.
- ATL: Alan Rangel was recalled in a related move with Spencer Strider now placed on the 15-day IL (oblique)
NYY 7 – BOS 5
Yankees: We had ourselves a whole mess of holds in this one, but it wasn’t without turbulence. Zack Britton, Lou Trivino and Clarke Schmidt combined for 2 1/3 innings of two-run work, while a blown save by Lucas Luetge – 2/3 IP, but zero runs of his own – tied this contest at the seventh-inning stretch. Scott Effross was tasked with a two-run leadin the ninth and capped off his third save of the season. With Clay Holmes and Jonathan Loáisiga a further rested, they could be back for saves and/or holds today.
Red Sox:
Boston turned to high-leverage man John Schreiber in the seventh inning; two walks, two hits and two runs proved decisive in this two-run contest. Ryan Brasier and Eduard Bazardo combined for two perfect innings, so there were at least some bright spots in an otherwise rocky finish. Matt Barnes is the most-rested arm that could be in line for a save today.
ATL 6 – PHI 3
Braves: Zero earned runs were credited to the Atlanta bullpen on Saturday; Kenley Jansen worked a perfect ninth for save number 37, A.J. Minter collected a scoreless hold number 32, and Raisel Iglesias allowed zero runs of his own (2/3 IP). Colin McHugh pitched in two more outs, and a once-rested Braves bullpen has turned a little fatigued for Sunday action.
Phillies: Holding the Braves scoreless after the fourth inning, the Phillies tossed a team of five relievers that only allowed four hits. Andrew Bellatti tossed the most, a 1 1/3-inning performance while dancing around two hits. David Robertson tossed a perfect eighth in a non-save situation. Brad Hand has not pitched since Tuesday and could be in line for some key Sunday situations.
OAK 10 – NYM 4
Athletics: No runs were scored by the Mets after the second inning. Oakland went to work with Austin Pruitt, A.J. Puk and Tyler Cyr, combining to pitch four innings. The Mets posted four hits in that span, and a lower-leverage ninth was handed to Cyr as he worked around two walks. Domingo Acevedo recorded back-to-back saves on Tuesday and Wednesday but hasn’t thrown since, so he could be a go-to arm for Sunday as the A’s anticipate Monday off.
Mets: After a surprisingly-short outing by Jacob deGrom, the Mets went on to see troublesome outings from an otherwise-strong relievers too. Adam Ottavino allowed one run and two hits in the eighth, while the rest of the Mets bullpen allowed three runs in the remaining three innings. Edwin Díaz has been resting since Tuesday, and with an off day on Monday, the Mets could easily turn to him on Sunday.
TOR 3 – TB 1
Blue Jays: Alek Manoah paved the way for Toronto with seven innings of shutout work. Tim Mayza took over on back-to-back days but allowed two hits and one run in 2/3 of an inning, forcing a tighter save situation for closer Jordan Romano. The door was shut with his 1 1/3 innings of one-hit, three-strikeout work. Toronto worked their bullpen heavily on Friday, but arms like David Phelps and Zach Pop could find themselves in the mix for Sunday on relative rest.
Rays: After a heavy Thursday and Friday of bullpen work, Tampa Bay turned to arms Brooks Raley, Calvin Faucher and Cristofer Ogando for 3 2/3 combined innings. Raley was burned with a two-run homer in 1/3 of an inning, but Faucher and Ogando picked up some slack with a perfect 2 1/3 innings to follow. Shawn Armstrong is perhaps the most rested option for Sunday, while closer option Pete Fairbanks could return after 19 pitches on Friday.
MIA 4 – WSH 1
Marlins: Starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara did his thing. Eight innings of one-run work led to Dylan Floro’s seventh save of the year in a perfect ninth, and the Alcantara effect kept the rest of the bullpen quiet. Floro has now pitched in back-to-back days, but virtually anyone else could be in line for key opportunities on Sunday.
Nationals: Washington’s bullpen combined for 2 1/3 innings of scoreless work with Jordan Weems and Steve Cishek striking out two hitters each. Carl Edwards Jr. and Kyle Finnegan were preserved with the Nationals trailing; they are rested since Wednesday and are in line for perhaps any position on Sunday.
PIT 6 – CHC 0
Pirates: Seven shutout innings by starter Johan Oviedo, paired with two shutout frames by Zach Thompson, capped off a combined five-hitter with one walk allowed. Pittsburgh may be opting to preserve David Bednar from here on out after a brief injured stint, but he remains available on Sunday after two days of rest.
Cubs: Rowan Wick tossed a low-leverage ninth, working around a hit and a walk. Adbert Alzolay was the only other reliever used, tossing a bulk three innings and allowing three runs on three hits. Brandon Hughes hasn’t thrown since his 14 pitches on Thursday, and after some high pitch counts from multiple pitchers on Friday, the Cubs could be running thin on relievers this afternoon.
MIL 10 – CIN 2
Brewers: There wasn’t a lot of climatic bullpen work in this one, but the Brewers still made a solid statement. Trevor Gott, Taylor Rogers and Brent Suter combined for 2 2/3 innings of scoreless work, facing one batter more than the minimum needed. Closer Devin Williams tossed 18 pitches in a save on Friday, and with the Brewers in the thick of a playoff push, both he and Matt Bush could be called upon heavily over the next few days.
Reds: Long reliever Connor Overton picked up three innings of five-run work, fighting his way through four hits and three walks. Low-leverage work was then handed to Joel Kuhnel and Alejo Lopez; Kuhnel worked a perfect eighth but Lopez allowed one solo homer in an otherwise-clean ninth. Closer Alexis Díaz has thrown four pitches since Monday and could easily find himself on the mound no matter the situation on Sunday.
HOU 11 – BAL 10
Astros: Hold onto your hat for this one; Houston starter Framber Valdez allowed seven runs (four earned) through 5 1/3 innings, followed by a team of four relievers that showed for a little bit of everything. Phil Maton retired two hitters cleanly, Hunter Brown threw a scoreless inning despite allowing three hits, and Rafael Montero earned a messy win after allowing two runs on two hits. Ryan Pressly was then tasked with the ninth, allowing one run and one hit en route to save number 31, and the Astros will now navigate a Sunday with Ryne Stanek as one of their few rested options.
Orioles: Baitmore tossed a team of six relievers in this contest; a blown save by Félix Bautista (1 1/3 IP, 4 H, 4 R) was costly after his outing started as a relatively comfortable lead. Dillon Tate served as a four-out bridge and allowed one run on a walk. Joey Krehbiel was charged with four runs and recorded just one out, so the Orioles bullpen featured a similar adventure to what was seen on the other side of the ball. Both teams are particularly thin on relievers for the series finale today.
CLE 4 – TEX 2
Guardians: One-inning appearances by three relievers were enough to cap this two-run victory. Cleveland sent Sam Hentges, Trevor Stephan and Emmanuel Clase to the hill; Stephan had the cleanest inning of them all with no hits allowed and a strikeout. Clase did allow one run in his 39th save of the year (a solo homer). Cleveland now has a few middle relievers with limited appearances this week, while their more high-leverage arms are working through some heavier workloads.
Rangers: Texas sent just two relievers to the mound, Brock Burke and Matt Moore, combining for 3 1/3 innings of three-run work. Burke was charged with the loss, surrendering a one-run lead after 5 2/3 strong innings by starter Glenn Otto.
SEA 6 – KC 5
Mariners: It wasn’t Paul Sewald, but instead Andrés Muñoz on call for a save with both rested for action. Sewald tossed a scoreless seventh and eighth, allowing just one hit while facing a minimum six. Muñoz then took over with a one-hit scoreless ninth. Matt Brash was the only other bullpen arm used, tossing a perfect sixth, and Saturday was a pretty ideal day by Seattle relievers. Erik Swanson could be in line for high-leverage Sunday work after three days of rest.
Royals: Six relievers went to the mound for Kansas City on Sunday. Brad Keller was charged with a loss, surrendering four hits and one run over 1 1/3 innings, while Collin Snider was charged with a blown save after allowing two runs, two walks and failing to record an out. It was an otherwise strong performance by Kansas City relievers, the four others posting a combined three scoreless frames. Jose Cuas and Anthony Misiewicz are in line for Sunday work after the use of several Saturday relievers.
MIN 8 – LAA 4
Twins: It took a five-reliever effort to cap off this win, all five throwing one inning a piece. The Angels were kept off the scoreboard in four of those frames, held to zero hits between the fifth and eighth. Minnesota’s Jhoan Duran allowed three hits in a one-run ninth, but was able to preserve an otherwise-comfortable lead. Caleb Thielbar was a top bullpen performer, striking out two in a perfect sixth. Entering Saturday, closer Jorge López hadn’t pitched since last weekend. He was tasked with a non-save eighth, retiring all three batters he faced.
Angels: The Angels saw long relief work from Mike Mayers, allowing three runs (two earned) in 2 1/3 innings. They later turned to Rob Zastryzny and Zack Weiss for the final five outs on defense, each retiring every batter they faced. High-leverage arms Jimmy Herget and Ryan Tepera took on higher workloads on Friday and could be down for a second day today, while José Quijada could instead find himself in the mix for related work.
DET 7 – CWS 2
Tigers: There was little leverage to speak of after the Tigers posted a four-spot in the seventh. Detroit worked through the final three innings with Will Vest (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and Garrett Hill (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R), saving arms like Gregory Soto, Andrew Chafin and Alex Lange after their work on Friday. That trio could return to the mound after a Saturday of recovery.
White Sox: Chicago’s three-arm relief combo on Saturday had a rough start; Jake Diekman allowed four runs on five hits with no outs recorded. José Ruiz and Vince Velazquez followed, combining for three innings of scoreless work. Joe Kelly has been reactivated from an emergency list, and with Kendall Graveman and Liam Hendriks also rested since Tuesday, there are plenty of options for the White Sox to roll with on Sunday.
SD 9 – COL 3
Padres: A team of Luis García, Tim Hill and Craig Stammen tossed one inning each; Hill allowed one run on two hits, but the rest of the evening was dominated by García and Stammen retiring six of the combined seven batters they faced. San Diego has seen just eight pitches from Josh Hader since Thursday, so he could be primed for a wildcard-preserving save if needed in Colorado today.
Rockies: A shaky performance by Justin Lawrence (2/3 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 BB) was followed by a tough-but-longer appearance by Chad Smith (1 2/3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB). The bright spot on the pitching line came from Alex Colomé in his return from the bereavement list, tossing a scoreless ninth and working around a single walk. Colorado used closer Daniel Bard for 26 pitches on Friday, so he could be resting for some additional days.
ARI 5 – SF 2
Diamondbacks: A big fourth inning by D-Backs hitters was preserved well by All-Star Joe Mantiply, tossing a perfect eighth inning en route to Reyes Moronta’s perfect ninth, his third save of the year. Arizona can turn to Ian Kennedy or Mark Melancon on Sunday, both rested since Wednesday. It could likely be Kennedy, with one appearance on the past six days.
Giants: Thomas Szapucki had one of his stronger performances of the year on Sunday, recording six outs and facing the minimum over two innings. Jharel Cotton was tasked with the eighth inning while holding a three-run deficit, also striking out the side. San Francisco used Camilo Doval on back-to-back days on Thursday and Friday, so it could be Tyler Rogers in line for a save today. There isn’t a serious need for serious reliever burnout by the Giants at this point in the season among other teams, so this series finale could feature some unique opportunities on both sides of the ball.
LAD 6 – STL 2
Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw’s six innings of two-run work was followed up by an absolutely lights-out showing by Chris Martin, Evan Phillips and Tommy Kahnle. Los Angeles’ bullpen ended the night with one baserunner allowed in three innings, each reliever tossing one frame. Alex Vesia has two days of rest under his belt to this point, and with the NL West locked up, Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts can begin to stack his deck for the postseason.
Cardinals: Three innings by Dakota Hudson helped preserve the Cardinals bullpen; Hudson allowed two hits and a walk but prevented any run from scoring. Chris Stratton posted three strikeouts in the ninth, working around a walk in an otherwise exceptional frame. Ryan Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos have made just one appearance in the past six days, and with a Cardinals off day on Monday, both could easily find their way to the mound today.
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)