Reliever Ranks – 10/4

Welcome back to the latest edition of our Reliever Ranks series! 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 looking to stream saves or wins. This series runs seven days a week, so check in every morning to get your daily bullpen fix!

 

Notes

Transaction and Schedule Notes

 

• No team has an off day over the final three days of the season, but TEX/NYY, DET/SEA, and WSH/NYM have double-headers today.
• The following teams punched their tickets to the postseason and could rest high-leverage relievers for the next two games: NYY, TBR, TOR, CLE, SEA, HOU, PHI, ATL, NYM, STL, LAD, and SDP. Conversely, teams out of it may give higher-leverage looks to new arms.

 

• The Baltimore Orioles placed Félix Bautista on the 15-day IL and recalled Yennier Cano. The flame-throwing closer had been dealing since grabbing the 9th inning duties, but expect Dillon Tate to grab any final save opportunities.
• The Minnesota Twins placed Trevor Megill on the 15-day IL and purchased the contract of Aaron Sanchez. Sanchez slots into the long-relief role and could see a multi-inning appearance.

 

• Also, there was a flurry of moves with lower-leverage arms, and the following RPs have been activated: Jake Cousins(MIL), Darwinzon Hernandez(BOS), Miguel Castro(NYY), Nick Mears(PIT), Andrew Vasquez(SFG), Kevin Herget(TBR), Yerry Rodriguez(TEX), and A.J. Alexy(TEX).

 

NYY 3 – TEX 1

• After seven no-hit innings from Luis Severino, Miguel Castro finally allowed a Josh Jung hit in the 8th inning. After Jung, Jonah Heim followed with a single of his own, and eventually, Jung scored. However, that was all the offense Texas could muster as Scott Effross struck out one to grab save #4.
• The Rangers bullpen started in the 7th inning with a scoreless appearance from Jésus Tinoco. In the 8th, Jonathan Hernández left a bit too much over the plate(twice), and two pitches were deposited into the bleachers. The final inning started with a single and walk, but Joe Barlow managed to escape without allowing any damage.

 

CHC 1 – CIN 3

• Michael Rucker was electric as the first RP out of the pen by striking out the side in the 7th inning. Then, Manuel Rodríguez allowed back-to-back leadoff doubles allowing Stuart Fairchild to score, and was pulled early. Erick Uelmen collected the final two outs in the 8th inning.
• The Cincy bullpen was solid in the 7th and 8th inning, with Derek Law and Buck Farmer combining for six outs and only allowing one base runner. In the 9th inning, up by two, Alexis Díaz notched his 10th save, but it came with command issues as he only threw ten of his 20 pitches for strikes and allowed a run to score.

 

SFG 4 – SDP 7

• San Fran utilized John Brebbia as an opener, with Sean Hjelle following. Brebbia was clean for an inning, and Hjelle struck out eight over five innings. Then, disaster struck as Shelby Miller allowed five earned runs in the 8th inning. Unable to make outs, Miller was pulled for Jarlín García, who suffered a similar fate and allowed a two-run HR off the bat of Wil Myers. All-in-all, seven runs were scored in the 8th inning.
• Adrian Morejon was stout for two innings after Joe Musgrove tossed six of his own. But, like the Giants, the Padres had late-inning bullpen issues as well. Tim Hill only registered one out but gave up four earned runs on two hits and two walks. Finally, Josh Hader was inserted, as he scooped up save #36 with one K.

 

ARI 5 – MIL 6 (Final/10)

• Notching his 4th hold of the season, Sean Poppen stuck out one and walked one over his 1.2 innings of relief. With a three-run lead in the 9th, the D-backs gave Joe Mantiply a chance to close this one. Unfortunately, Mantiply was unsuccessful and allowed the game to get tied up. Reyes Moronta finished off the 9th inning and came back out in the 10th. He issued a leadoff walk, then back-to-back singles, allowing Milwaukee to claim victory.
• Milwaukee’s bullpen started with a stinker from Hoby Milner in the inning, as he allowed two earned runs on three hits(including one HR). Taylor Rogers quieted things down with a three punchout 8th inning, and Brent Suter tossed a clean 9th inning. Then, Brad Boxberger gave up a run in the top of the 10th inning but earned the W with a rally from the offense.

 

MIN 2 – CHW 3

• After five innings from Bailey Ober, the game was tied 2-to-2. Caleb Thielbar pushed the tied past the 6th inning with a two-K performance. Suffering the loss, Griffin Jax allowed a pair of hits and the deciding run to cross home plate. Emilio Pagán found work as he struck out one in his lone 8th inning appearance.
• Johnny Cueto shimmied his way through seven innings and recorded his 8th win. Helping along the way, Kendall Graveman struck out a batter to grab hold #27. Finally, Liam Hendriks scattered a hit and walk while striking out three to nail down save #37. Additionally, it’s been a heck of a stretch as Hendriks, as he’s saved four games since Thursday and will likely get tonight off.

 

LAA  4 – OAK 5 (Final/10)

• Jimmy Herget pitched 1.1 innings after Patrick Sandoval’s six scoreless. Unfortunately, Herget’s outing came with a pair of earned runs. José Quijada had a similar outing with 1.1 innings of work and two earned runs. Although Quijada’s earned runs came with Aaron Loup on the mound. In the 10th inning, Zack Weiss couldn’t stop the inherited ghost runner from crossing the plate and suffered the loss.
• Oakland’s bullpen was handed a four-run deficit but kept things in check. Jared Koenig chucked 42 pitches over four innings and struck out three while not allowing any baserunners. Domingo Acevedo earned the win with a walk and strike out.

 

DET 4 – SEA 3

• Detroit did not have Gregory Soto available in this one after pitching back-to-back nights. It didn’t matter as José Cisnero tossed an inning and an out while striking out three, and Andrew Chafin struck out two for his third save of the season.
• George Kirby didn’t have his typically sharp command and left after four innings. However, the bullpen was on-point. Matt Brash was solid in the 5th inning, and Matt Boyd struck out five in his three innings of work. Finally, Diego Castilo erased a one-out single to finish off a scoreless frame.

 

COL 2 – LAD 1

• Jake Bird earned the win on the back of a two-inning, two punchout performance. Then, in a shocker, Justin Lawrence made an appearance in the 9th inning. Why was it a stunner? Partly because it was his third time pitching in the last three days, and they could have turned to a well-rested Dinelson Lamet or Alex Colomé. If you’re wondering about Daniel Bard, he tossed 35 pitches the night before and was unavailable.
• Tony Gonsolin started this game and tossed a pair of innings. Then, the Dodgers utilized eight RPs, with the first seven not allowing a run. In the end, Brusdar Graterol suffered the loss by giving up the deciding run after a pair of hits. The only bullpen arm not to make an appearance was David Price.

 

KCR 5 – CLE 2 (Final/10)

• After six innings from Greinke, Amir Garrett and Dylan Coleman each provided scoreless innings. In the 9th inning, Scott Barlow collected his seventh win while striking out one. Finally, in the 10th, Taylor Clarke shut down things with authority as he struck out a pair and stranded the inherited ghost runner.
• Following the starter, Cody Morris made a one-inning relief appearance but coughed up a run, putting the team down by one. Eli Morgan made quick work in the 7th inning and came back out for a clean 8th inning. Kirk McCarty made things look easy in the 9th but faltered in the 10th as he started with a three-run HR, taking the loss.

 

STL 2 – PIT 3

• Three innings from José Quintana and three innings from Miles Mikolas kept this one close. Additionally, Steven Matz made a scoreless appearance in the 7th inning. However, Andre Pallante failed to keep the streak alive, and one run was scored. Typically, that’s when Giovanny Gallegos comes in to put out the fire, but not so fast. He walked three and allowed an earned run of his own. Although, a walk from JoJo Romero with the bases loaded was the decider.
• Pittsburgh’s bullpen was solid after Mitch Keller exited. Manny Bañuelos, Nick Mears, and Yohan Ramirez combined for four scoreless innings and a 7:1 K/BB ratio.

 

ATL 0 – MIA 4

• Bryce Elder left after putting the team in a four-run hole. But Atlanta’s pen was effective. Tyler Matzek and Jesse Chavez put a few men on base but kept anyone from crossing home plate. Finally, Silvino Bracho tossed a clean 9th inning.
• On the back of a 12-K performance from Jesús Luzardo, the Marlins bullpen completely blanked Atlanta. Bryan Hoeing, Jeff Brigham, and Richard Bleier combined for three scoreless frames and didn’t allow a single base runner.

 

TOR 5 – BAL 1 (Final/8)

• With the game getting shortened and Jordan Romano unavailable due to back-to-back night’s pitching, Tim Mayza grabbed his second save of the season. He was the only RP utilized in this one.
• Dean Kremer was pretty meh in a six-inning outing, where he left without the lead. Keegan Akin followed by striking out a pair and allowing two singles to start the 7th inning. Yennier Cano gave up an earned run in the 8th before the game was called.

 

TBR 3 – BOS 4

• Tampa spared the pen once again and tossed Kevin Herget for 4.1 innings. He gave up four earned runs after Glasnow struck out seven in 3.2 innings. But, most importantly, keeps arms fresh for the playoffs.
• After Rich Hill’s six innings, John Schrieber notched the win after completing a scoreless 7th inning. The 8th inning belonged to Ryan Brasier, who struck out one and earned hold #12. Back grabbing saves(#7), Matt Barnes allowed a one-out triple to Wander Franco before collecting the final out.

 

PHI 3 – HOU 0

• Philly locked up a playoff spot with a dominant performance from Aaron Nola. After his 6.2 innings of shutdown baseball, José Alvarado threw heat and struck out three in his 1.1 innings of work. Then, grabbing the save was an old face in a new role. Zach Eflin tossed a clean 9th for his first save of the season.
• Houston got six innings from Lance McCullers Jr. and a pair from José Urquidy. The duo allowed the three deciding runs to score, and Phil Maton worked through a rough 9th inning.

 

Bullpen Depth Charts

Also, if you’re looking for a detailed list or ranking of RPs, check out Rick Graham’s weekly pieces:

The Hold Up: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday

Closing Time: Ranking the Top 30 Closers

Top 100 Relievers for Save+Hold Leagues

 

 

Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)