With the MLB in full-swing, most bullpen hierarchies are becoming a lot more clear. While some managers may keep fantasy owners guessing, it is important to at least have an idea of who has a chance at a save and who is most likely not even going to appear in a game today. Don’t sleep on saves! In a shortened season, they all count that much more.
Before the chart, let’s examine some notes from yesterday’s games.
NOTES
- Tampa Bay used Nick Anderson late in the seventh inning and then for the entire eighth before having Oliver Drake close things out on Saturday. This situation is worth monitoring closely.
- Mychal Givens and Joe Jimenez threw 21 and 20 pitches respectively on Saturday.
- Greg Holland earned the save on Saturday for the Royals. Ian Kennedy pitched the sixth and seventh innings. Holland has thrown in both Royals’ games thus far and with Kennedy tossing two innings on Saturday while Rosenthal only threw 11 pitches, I like Rosenthal’s odds of seeing any save opportunity for the Royals today.
- Roberto Osuna returned on Saturday. It had been a while since his last work and he threw 16 pitches, so Ryan Pressly might be in line for a save today. However, with Osuna back, Pressly’s value is limited outside of today.
- Hansel Robles and Ty Buttrey have appeared in both Angels games this season, throwing 43 and 41 pitches respectively. This would lead you to believe that Keynan Middleton would get the opportunity should it arise today, but he did throw 16 pitches himself yesterday. Cam Bedrosian could sneak a save today should the situation present itself.
- Mark Melancon’s back locked up during the Braves game yesterday (he never pitched), but his manager believes he will be good to go today.
- Raisel Iglesias threw 25 pitches in a non-save situation on Saturday and it got ugly (2 ER, 1 HR).
- With Kyle Crick’s struggles on Saturday (0.2 IP, 4 R), it is likely Nick Burdi gets the first crack at saves in Pittsburgh.
- Tony Watson pitched in the eighth inning on Saturday, allowing a hit and being responsible for two runs. Trevor Gott got the save, despite giving up a solo shot to Dodgers’ catcher Will Smith.
- Kirby Yates threw just nine pitches last night and looked great. He should be good to go for today.
Bullpen Depth Charts
Green = closer is available/long reliever expected to pitch after starter
Yellow = closer pitched previous day/LR has chance to pitch after starter
Red = closer has pitched back to back days and likely has the day off
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)