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
- All 30 teams were in action yesterday, with the Yankees and Red Sox playing a doubleheader – both games had save opportunities; see more below. We also have a full slate of games today. Check our board below to see if any regular closers are unavailable.
- The best chance of sneaking an extra win in for your fantasy team today is by picking up Rays southpaw Ryan Yarbrough, who is set to return from the COVID injured list today. Louis Head will serve as the opener for the Rays in a favorable matchup against the Orioles. Yarbrough is 6-4 on the season with a 4.76 ERA with 98 strikeouts across 119 innings so far this season.
Transaction and Injury Notes
- The Red Sox welcomed back an additional piece to their bullpen by activating lefty Josh Taylor from the 10-day injured list. Former Angels swingman Matt Andriese was designated for assignment in the corresponding move.
- Veteran Cubs reliever Dan Winkler was also designated for assignment yesterday. Winkler had a terrible year on the mound, finishing his time in Chicago with a 1-3 record and 5.22 ERA through 39 2/3 frames.
- After closing games for the Reds just a month ago, Cincinnati designated Heath Hembree for assignment after a rough few weeks. The return of Michael Lorenzen and Lucas Sims recently left Hembree surplus to requirements.
- The Giants strengthened their bullpen further by recalling former Cubs’ arm Tyler Chatwood from Triple-A Sacramento River Cats.
Yesterday’s Performances
- Atlanta are on a tear in the NL East, and closer Will Smith is reaping the benefits. Smith struck out Lewis Brinson and Jesus Aguilar to record a perfect ninth inning and protect a 2-0 lead for his ballclub with gave him his 26th save of the season. This was his third-straight converted save opportunity in the last five days, and he struck out at least two batters in each of those appearances. He is now up to fourth in the saves leaderboard.
- Things were less straightforward for Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, who looked far from comfortable attempting to preserve a 6-4 lead in the ninth inning. Yoshi Tsutsugo, Gregory Polanco, and Colin Moran all reached base as the Pirates reduced the deficit to 6-5 with just one out. He forced a lineout and a groundout to come away with his 25th save of the campaign, but the warning flags are still flying in LA.
- Just behind Smith and Jansen on the saves leaderboard is Brewers’ closer Josh Hader, who recently spent time on the injured list. Since returning, however, he has struck out seven of the nine batters he has faced, allowing just one hit and a walk. He was in electric form once again yesterday, slamming the door shut on the Cardinals to close out a 2-0 Brewers victory. Hader now has 24 saves on the year, boasting a 1.74 ERA with 72 Ks in just 41 1/3 innings. Wowsers!
- Speaking of electric – Cleveland’s young closer Emmanuel Clase blew away the Twins hitters in the ninth to notch his 17th save of the season and first since Aug 9. Clase has been dealing with his nasty cutter all season, leading to a phenomenal 54/15 K/BB ratio in 51 appearances.
- New Dad Paul Sewald was given a welcome back gift by Mariners manager Scott Servais after being handed the ball (instead of Diego Castillo) with a 3-1 lead in the ninth against the Rangers. Despite giving up a lead-off single to Adolis Garcia, Sewald breezed past the rest of the Rangers hitters in the ninth to secure his fifth save on the year. Sewald is having a stellar year and may see the odd save chance down the stretch thanks to his 0.92 WHIP and 65/12 K/BB ratio across 38 appearances this campaign.
- Jake Brentz looks to be the arm to fill in for Greg Holland for save opportunities alongside Scott Barlow in Kansas City the rest of the way. Despite walking two hitters with his team leading 3-1 against the Astros, Brentz hit back by striking out Aledmys Diaz and Chas McCormick to earn just his second save of the year. Brentz has 63 Ks in just 53 1/3 innings this campaign and could add some value in deeper leagues in the run-in to the season.
- The Yankees triumphed in both their rivalry games against the Red Sox. With Aroldis Chapman still sidelined, Jonathan Loaisiga notched his fifth save of the year in the first game, and Chad Green hit the same number in the second game. Loaisiga has been lights out in relief of Chapman and is clearly the arm to own for the Yankees. He should get the opportunity if one comes again today.
- Diamondbacks closer Tyler Clippard had a hairy ending to his outing against the Phillies yesterday. With runners on first-and-third base and two outs protecting a 3-1 lead, he threw a wild pitch that allowed a run in before inducing a flyout to young hitter Alec Bohm to end the contest. Clippard now has three saves on the year, but this was his only save opportunity since July 29. There is limited upside, but he will close out games for the Diamondbacks until the end of the year.
Bullpen Depth Charts