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
- 28 of 30 teams were in action yesterday, with the Angels and A’s off. We still had 15 games because of the Atlanta-San Diego doubleheader, but they didn’t finish their second game, pushing back that series’ completion yet again.
- Today’s slate gives 12 teams some mid-week rest: BAL, TOR, CHW, KCR, HOU, NYM, WAS, CIN, MIL, PIT, AIR, and COL.
- Of the nine games today, Texas-Detroit stands out as a potential vulture situation. Tyler Alexander only made it through 3 1/3 last time out, and while he’s on proper starter rest this time, it’s still very possible that he’s pulled before he gets to 14 outs or with the game still in the balance. Detroit’s been among the better teams in baseball since the beginning of May — make sure to check your assumptions about the Tigers at the door before hoping for the best from Derek Holland.
Yesterday’s Performances
Only two games ended yesterday without someone getting the opportunity for a save. Buckle up — there’s a lot to cover.
Mark Melancon picked up save #28 on the year in San Diego’s first game of the day against Atlanta. Nothing shocking here, except maybe that he picked up two strikeouts along the way.
The Royals’ Scott Barlow closed out their win over the Brewers with a clean ninth, picking up his fifth save of the year. This was also his second night in a row on the mound, but with the Royals off today, he should be rested for their weekend series against Detroit.
The Rockies held onto a lead that they built in a five-run first inning and Daniel Bard closed out his 15th game of the year. Thanks to the Rockies’ home/road splits, this is his 11th save of the year at home, where he boasts a 2.54 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Maybe the saying about not starting Rockies pitchers at Coors works backward for closers?
Joakim Soria hasn’t seen many save chances this year, but he converted his sixth of the year last night in Arizona’s win over the Pirates. He also matched Madison Bumgarner’s strikeout total for the night in four fewer innings.
The Nationals and Marlins went to extras after scoring just a run each through nine. Brad Hand then promptly gave up two runs in the top of the 10th, thanks mostly to a double from Jorge Alfaro. In the other half inning, Yimi García kept the Nationals off the board entirely, picking up his 14th save of the year. García’s availability at the deadline won’t change much because of this, but it’s worth watching whether the Nationals play themselves out of contention in the next week. If they do, Hand could be among those dealt. In the meantime, he and the rest of the team have the day off tomorrow.
The day after picking up his first save in a month, Aroldis Chapman pitched a clean ninth before the Yankees walked off the Phillies in extra innings. Chad Green was the notable high-leverage arm to get some rest last night, so he should be available to close today if needed.
Matt Barnes converted a three-run lead into a somewhat routine save for his 20th of the year. The Blue Jays’ Jordan Romano gave up two home runs in the eighth to balloon that lead.
Detroit’s Gregory Soto helped turn a quality start from Matt Manning into a win against the Rangers, picking up his 10th save of the year in the process. Both he and José Cisneros pitched for the second night in a row and should be considered likely to be off tonight in what might be a short outing by Tyler Alexander. Kyle Funkhouser is the most likely replacement.
Cleveland’s James Karinchak closed the door on a 5–4 win against the Houston Astros with a 1-2-3 9th inning, earning his 11th save of the year. He managed to retire the side exclusively on pop-ups, and he and Emmanuel Clasé combined for zero strikeouts and no baserunners over the last two innings of the game.
After the Cubs failed to score in the top of the 10th, Craig Kimbrel allowed a single that scored the Cardinals’ ghost runner in the bottom of the inning, picking up the loss (albeit on an unearned run). This was Kimbrel’s second appearance in a row, so he’s likely to rest tomorrow. Andrew Chafin is the most likely saves option for the Cubs in his stead.
After Kenley Jansen and Victor Gonzalez combined to allow three runs in the top of the 9th, the Giants’ Tyler Rogers converted a 4–2 lead into a win over the Dodgers. This was his second appearance in a row, so Jake McGee is likely back on the bump in what will likely be a close game tonight.