Relievers to Stream for Wins and Saves – 4/2

Well, that was fun. Minus one rain out and a Covid scare, almost every team made it to Opening Day. Welcome back to our Relievers to Stream for Wins and Saves series! This will bring you up-to-date bullpen depth charts every morning for the day’s games and makes for a great tool for those of you looking to stream saves or wins. This series runs 7 days a week, so be sure to check in every morning to get your daily bullpen fix!

Notes

• Aroldis Chapman will serve the final day of his two-day suspension to start the season and Chad Green was the first reliever from the Yankees’ pen on Thursday, needing just 17 pitches to get through 1.2 innings. With a day off Friday, this wouldn’t preclude Green from being called upon for a save opportunity on Saturday if needed.
• Jordan Romano grabbed a win on Thursday, pitching a scoreless 9th in a tie ballgame against the Yankees. He struck out two and allowed two walks in the frame. Rafael Dolis recorded two strikeouts of his own in the 8th, but both gave way to Julian Merryweather for the save in extra innings. Even with Romano’s 23 pitches thrown on Thursday, expect all three to be available late in a tight game on Saturday with the off day Friday.
• Greg Holland struggled in his first outing of the season, giving up two walks and a hit while recording just one out in a non-save situation. After allowing a run to score via a passed ball followed by a wild pitch, he was pulled in favor of Wade Davis who struck out Nick Solak and Nate Lowe to end the game and earn the save. Though I wouldn’t read too much into Wade Davis‘ performance here, I do believe Holland may give way to Josh Staumont if the struggles continue.
• Diego Castillo recorded the first save for the Rays’ bullpen, facing just three batters in the 9th inning and striking out two of them.  Pete Fairbanks pitched a scoreless 8th to set up Castillo but allowed a hit and a walk during his time on the mound. Castillo only needed 12 pitches to get through his appearance and it should be expected he would be available on Friday if needed.
• The Marlins called upon Yimi Garcia in the 8th inning to hold a tie ballgame against the Rays, which he failed to do, allowing an Austin Meadows solo home run.
• After manager Mike Shildt said he expected to use Alex Reyes in save situations to start the season, we all expected to see Reyes at the end of the game. Unfortunately, it was with a five-run lead. Reyes still pitched a scoreless frame, allowing a hit, walk, and recording his first strikeout on the season. It isn’t clear how hard the Cardinals will push Reyes, though it was suggested they have a goal of 100 IP out of the bullpen for the former top prospect.
• In San Diego, the three-headed monster of Emilio Pagan, Drew Pomeranz, and Mark Melancon made their debut, and in that order. Pagan recorded the win with a scoreless 7th, while Pomeranz struck out three in the 8th. Melancon cleaned it up with a perfect 9th inning to notch his first save of the season and needed just seven pitches to get there.
• Daniel Bard recorded his first save on the season for the Rockies, allowing a hit, a walk, and two strikeouts to shut down the Dodgers on opening day. Bard, who took over as closer in Colorado toward the end of last season, looks to be solidly in the role moving forward.
• Hector Neris was named the closer by manager Joe Girardi in Philadelphia and was called upon in the 9th inning on Thursday with the Phillies and tied with the Braves at two apiece. Neris pitched well, striking out one in his perfect outing, but was not called back for the 10th. Connor Brogdon pitched a perfect inning of his own and came away with the win.
• Richard Rodriguez struck out two and walked one on his way to his first save of the season. There may not be that many saves to be had with Pittsburg, but Rodriguez should get the bulk, if not all of the opportunities as they arise.
• Josh Hader did Josh Hader things on Thursday, recording the win after striking out the side during his extra innings appearance for the Brewers. On the other side of the ball, Twins’ free-agent acquisition Alex Colome struggled to the tune of two hits and three runs, none earned, as he was credited with the blown save on Thursday. It should also be noted that Taylor Rogers was called upon in the 7th inning while the Twins were up by three runs, followed by Hansel Robles in the 8th. Both relievers pitched perfect innings on their way to set up Colome.
• It wasn’t pretty, but Gregory Soto recorded his first save for the Tigers this year. He got through the 9th after allowing a walk and two hits, one of which was a two-run home run off the bat of Roberto Perez. On the other side, James Karinchak was given some work by Cleveland in a non save situation. Karinchak needed 17 pitches to get through his inning where he issued one walk and recorded a strikeout without giving up any runs.
• After Aaron Bummer was credited with a blown save for the White Sox in the 8th inning, Raisel Iglesias was able to record his first save in an Angels’ uniform, striking out two on his way through a clean 9th.
• With Trevor Rosenthal starting the season on the IL, expect Jake Diekman to get the majority of save opportunities for the A’s while he’s out.
• Though the Mariners came away with the win against the Giants on Thursday, it was no thanks to newly acquired Rafael Montero, who allowed two hard hits, including the game-tying home run in the 9th for his first blown save of the year. On the other side of the ball, Jake McGee kept the game going by pitching an eventless bottom of the 9th on just eight pitches for the Giants.