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 an excellent 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
- Yesterday, the Nationals and the Mets game was suspended in the second inning due to inclement weather. That game will be made up today, with the regularly scheduled game being shortened to seven innings. The Brewers and the Cubs played a doubleheader, as did the Angels and the Blue Jays. Both their bullpens were used and so need to be monitored. All 30 teams are in action today.
- The best chance to vulture a win today is clearly Joe Ross of the Nationals. Ross is due to restart the suspended game with the Mets in the top of the second inning with a 3-1 lead. If he manages to go a strong five innings and the Nationals remain ahead, the win is his.
Transaction and Injury Notes
- The Cubs activated reliever Rowan Wick from the 60-day injured list after a terrible time with a nasty intercostal strain. He returned and pitched a clean 1-2-3 inning yesterday. He could figure into the mix in the later innings as he builds up his innings.
- The Astros placed former Mariners reliever, Rafael Montero, on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder discomfort. The lesser piece in the trade that brought Kendall Graveman to Houston, and Montero had been unspectacular in his short time with the Astros. Veteran Pedro Baez takes his place in the bullpen.
- The Dodgers lost a key piece of their bullpen when Joe Kelly was sent to the 10-day injured list with COVID-related issues. However, veteran acquisition Corey Knebel was activated to take his place on the roster. He gave up a hit and a walk but struck out two batters in his first appearance back in the 5-0 win over the Phillies. Knebel is a valuable addition in the late-innings for the Dodgers down the stretch.
- The A’s recalled exciting young lefty A.J. Puk from their Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas Aviators. Puk looked impressive in a clean sixth inning against Cleveland in yesterday’s 4-3 win, striking out two of the three batters he faced. His fastball hit 98 mph. J.B. Wendelken was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Puk.
Yesterday’s Performances
- The uncompromising Mark Melancon registered the final four outs of yesterday’s 6-5 win against the Marlins to earn his major league-leading 34th save of the campaign. The veteran is the surprise story of the season in San Diego, anchoring the ninth inning all year for the World Series-chasing Padres.
- Young Cardinals closer Alex Reyes has had a tumultuous last week – after suffering a meltdown in last week’s loss to Atlanta where he walked four and hit a batter without recording an out, he then bounced back with a save against the Royals before giving up a run in the top of the ninth to take a loss on Sunday night. However, last night he pitched an easy 1-2-3 inning and, by doing so, tied his own best for the fewest number of pitches thrown to record a save this year, seven. Reyes has only blown one save in 27 attempts.
- Angels closer Raisel Iglesias is currently enjoying his best spell as a closer for years. Yesterday he needed just nine pitches to strike out two and protect a 6-3 lead in the first game of the doubleheader with the Blue Jays. He now has five saves and a win in his last eight appearances.
- Coming off a bad outing in which he blew a save opportunity against the Nationals at the weekend, things looked dicey for Atlanta closer Will Smith when he gave up a double to Kyle Farmer before walking Eugenio Suarez to with just one out in the ninth inning trying to protect a one-run lead. Recently returned Reds infielder Mike Moustakas could only ground into a game-ending double play, however, saving Smith’s blushes.
- It is safe to say things haven’t gone to plan this year for the Twins, and their disastrous bullpen has been one of their main weaknesses. Not so recently, however. Alex Colome, who was horrendous in the first half of the year, threw a clean ninth inning to pick up his fourth save in the last seven days in the 4-3 win over the White Sox. Colome now has six saves on the year and is the best bet to see out the year in that role.
- “The Airbender” Devin Williams pulled out a magic trick to pick up his second save of the season for the Brewers in the first of the doubleheaders against the Cubs. After Matt Duffy, Rafael Ortega, and Ian Happ hit singles to load the bases with only one out, Williams answered back in style by striking out Patrick Wisdom and Greg Deichmann to preserve the 4-2 lead and move the Brewers a commanding seven games clear atop the NL Central. As expected, Brent Suter recorded the save in the second game of the doubleheader.
- The affable Andrew Chafin picked up his first save of the season with his new club, the Athletics. It was only his fourth career save, but it was a beauty. Chafin needed just seven pitches to see out a perfect tenth inning. He’s now thrown 6 2/3 scoreless innings with an 8/0 K/BB ratio since joining Oakland from the Cubs at the trade deadline. Regular closer Lou Trivino pitched a scoreless ninth inning with the game tied at 3-3. He was credited with the win. James Karinchak took the blown save and the loss for Atlanta.
- Andrew Kittredge pitched two scoreless innings (the seventh and eighth) for the Rays to take the win in the 8-4 victory over the Red Sox. The Rays destroyed Boston closer, Matt Barnes, for four runs in the top of the ninth inning yesterday. Barnes has looked tired over the past few days, with Alex Cora even admitting the fact after the loss. He won’t be available out of the pen tonight.
Bullpen Depth Charts