Welcome back to Relievers to Stream for Wins and Saves! 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 seven days a week, so be sure to check in every morning to get your daily bullpen fix!
Notes
Schedule Notes
- The Red Sox and the Blue Jays were rained out yesterday, so they will play a doubleheader later in the schedule. Atlanta and the Padres will play a doubleheader today, however, so adjust your relievers accordingly to allow for opportunities for saves for set up players. The Athletics and the Angels have a rostered day off so their bullpens can be rested.
- The best chance to vulture a win today comes from Ashton Goudeau of the Reds, who will likely follow Jeff Hoffman out of the bullpen in a matchup against Marcus Stroman and the Mets. The Mets have given up 34 runs in the five games since the All-Star break and look shaky across the bullpen right now. Hoffman is returning from the injured list and went only three innings in his one rehab start. The Mariners also look to be deploying a bullpen game after opener Keynan Middleton on the road against the Rockies.
Yesterday’s Performances
- Oh dear, Alex Reyes! A day after making MLB history by converting his first 24 career-save opportunities, he finally blew his first save of the season, retiring only one batter as the Cardinals let a six-run lead slip away against the Cubs. It wasn’t all his fault as reliever Luis Garcia managed to load the bases on a wild pitch on a strikeout, a walk, and a single before Reyes was called upon in the top of the ninth with the score 6-1 to the Cardinals. His command issues finally got the better of him, however, as he walked in two runs before giving up back-to-back hits – a single to Javier Baez and a two-run double to Ian Happ to put the Cubs ahead 7-6.
- Chicago Cubs‘ closer, and prime trade candidate, Craig Kimbrel, was the main beneficiary of Reyes’ meltdown, pitching a clean inning, striking out two, and throwing just 13 pitches to earn his 22nd save of the season. Kimbrel has two saves in three outings since the All-Star break and has given up just one hit since June 1, and hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last 20 appearances.
- A disastrous outing from Giants setup man Tyler Rogers handed the Dodgers a walk-off win in the bottom of the ninth inning yesterday. After preferred closer Jake McGee pitched a clean eighth inning, Rogers was rolled out in the ninth to protect the one-run lead in his first save opportunity since 5 July. Rogers allowed back-to-back walks to Chris Taylor and Matt Beaty before hanging a fastball in the middle of the plate to pinch-hitter Will Smith, who smashed the ball into the stands for a game-winning three-run homer. It was Rogers’ fifth blown save of the season. It is safe to say McGee will be back in line for the next opportunity for the Giants.
- Young Twins reliever Jorge Alcala had a day to forget, recording just one out against the four batters he faced in the eighth inning protecting a 5-4 lead against the White Sox yesterday. Alcala was a surprise selection to come in after giving up six earned runs in his last 5 games, with a 10+ ERA. His struggles continued as he issued two walks, gave up two singles, and allowed a three-run homer to Jose Abreu before being pulled for Hansel Robles. This one is on Rocco Baldelli, who could have called on Tyler Duffey, Taylor Rogers, or Robles earlier in this one.
- Aroldis Chapman shrugged off his recent woes by recording his first save since June 20 despite giving up a solo home run to Andrew McCutchen of the Phillies yesterday. Benefitting from some generous calls on the corners, Chapman struck out Bryce Harper (with a nasty slider), Rhys Hoskins (with a 103 mph sinker), and Didi Gregorius (with a 102 mph four-seamer) to close out the Yankees 6-4 win. What were you worried about, seriously?!
- Seattle Mariners‘ closer Kendall Graveman was back in the saves column, earning his ninth save out of 11 opportunities yesterday in the 6-4 win over the Rockies. Graveman dismissed the top of the Rockies order, including impressive strikeouts of Garrett Hampson and Trevor Story to seal the win. Graveman is a prime trade candidate for a top team looking for an elite arm at the back of the bullpen.
- Atlanta recorded a narrow but important 2-1 win over the Padres, gaining a game back over the Mets after their defeat to the Reds. Closer Will Smith protected a one-run lead by retiring Tommy Pham and striking out Eric Hosmer before a double from Wil Myers made things interesting. However, Smith forced catcher Victor Caratini to ground out to hold on for the save. The Atlanta closer is now 19-for-21 in save opportunities in 2021. Elite.
- Nationals veteran Brad Hand notched his 20th save of the season in a 6-3 win over the Marlins yesterday. Despite blowing a save against the Padres last time out, he did pick up the win in that contest and looked much more composed yesterday by retiring all three batters he faced. Hand will continue to be the main guy for the Nationals going forward.
- In the best of the rest, Gregory Soto of the Tigers, Amir Garrett of the Reds, and Greg Holland of the Royals all picked up valuable saves in the second-tier category of fantasy closers. Garrett, in particular, looks to have played himself back into the running as the primary option at the back of the Reds bullpen after a hairy start to his campaign. Garrett was the favored closer prior to the season, so hopefully, you stuck with him in leagues where you drafted him to be a top option for saves. Heath Hembree is the other arm to watch in Cincinnati.
Bullpen Depth Charts