Welcome back to the newest 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
- Saturday’s slate was a robust one, with 16 games played on the day, including a doubleheader between LAA@OAK.
- A few teams have off on Monday: CLE, PHI, CIN, and SDP. There is no big break for teams until next Thursday(May 19th), when the following teams play: ARI@CHC, NYY@BAL, SDP@PHI, STL@NYM, CHW@KCR, SEA@BOS, and TEX@HOU.
- The Baltimore Orioles‘ Jorge López was reinstated from the bereavement list. This news brings Felix Bautista’s run as closer to an end.
- The Milwaukee Brewers placed Brent Suter on the paternity list. In his place, Jandel Gustave was recalled from the minors.
- The San Diego Padre Dinelson Lamet was optioned to the minors.
Yesterday’s Performances
- The Reds scored early and often to put away Pittsburgh early. This onslaught of scoring resulted in a minimal amount of RP usage. Alexis Díaz hurled a clean sixth inning to drop his ERA under an entire run. Next, Joel Kuhnel (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) and Jared Solomon (1 IP, 1 H, 3K) finished the final two innings without a scare.
- After starter Mitch Keller got rocked for five earned runs before completing five innings, Anthony Banda shut down the Reds offense for 1.1 innings. Although, in the 8th inning, the same could not be said for Heath Hembree would give up a pair of HRs and allowed three to cross home plate. Chase De Jong (2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) completed the final six outs allowing a run.
- We assumed it would be a high-scoring affair after the Cubs and Diamondbacks scored three runs in the 3rd inning. Instead, the only other run came in the fourth for Arizona. Picking up holds were Ian Kennedy (H, 5) and Kyle Nelson (H, 5) before closer Mark Melancon (S, 7) shut the door in the 9th inning. Last night’s clean frame of work was much needed from Melancon, as his ERA has spiked to 6.17 after allowing seven earned runs in his previous three outings.
- On the other side, the Cubs found Robert Gsellman (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 K) some work after his Tuesday night implosion. Conner Menez made his first appearance in a MLB uniform this season by striking out a batter in an inning of work. Finally, Chris Martin struck out Cooper Hummel on three pitches to face one batter.
- In a tight one against Miami, the Brewers elected to use their lockdown duo of Devin Williams and Josh Hader. As usual, the pair combined for two innings without allowing a baserunner. Williams cultured his second win as Hader notched save number 13.
- The Marlins deployed Steven Okert (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) in the top of the 8th inning. Okert’s scoreless frame drops his ERA under 3.0, and he showcases a 12:4 K/BB ratio over 8.1 innings of work. However, another poor outing from Tanner Scott (0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER) was the decider in this game. Completing the final inning, Anthony Bender struck out two batters while walking one.
- After a gem by starter Framber Valdez, the Astro only needed to utilize two RPs as they claimed victory. Entering with two outs in the 8th inning, Rafael Montero induced a Keibert Ruiz ground out. In a non-save chance and needed additional work because he hadn’t pitched in a week, Ryan Pressly (1 IP, 1 H) threw ten of his 12 pitches for strikes. Overall, a good sign for the struggling Houston closer.
- Down 6-0 early, the Nationals needed quiet innings from their bullpen for any shot at a comeback. Víctor Arano, Josh Rogers, and Paolo Espino each combined for a scoreless inning of work. Additionally, they only allowed one base runner.
- The Tigers claimed victory in a 4-2 game over Baltimore; however, the bullpen usage differed. The first RP deployed was Andrew Chafin (H, 2), who allowed a hit and struck out a batter. Following him, Jacob Barnes imploded on the mound and gave up a pair of HRs without recording an out. Needing to calm the scoreboard down, Alex Lange (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) threw a scoreless inning. Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Gregory Soto (H, 1) enters the ninth inning but is removed after one out due to more command issues. Will Vest came in for the final two outs and collected his first save of the season.
- For the Orioles, Logan Allen needed two pitches to sit down, the only batter he faced. Lastly, making his first appearance of the season, Denyi Reyes (2.0 IP, 2 K) hurled a scores pair innings. Additionally, Reyes was pinpoint with his control as 21 0f his 24 pitches went for strikes.
- The Mariners only needed two RPs after starter Marco Gonzales went into the 7th inning. Paul Sewald cultured the win on his 1.1 innings of work before Drew Steckenrider (S, 2) hurled a clean inning.
- For the Mets, Drew Smith looked human for one of the first times and allowed an earned run. The walks were a problem as two reached base via four balls, resulting in one earned run. His ERA bumps to a respectable 0.63. Closing out the 9th, Adam Ottavino sat a pair of batters down on strikes while keeping the basepaths empty.
- The Rays utilized five RPs in a victory over Toronto. First RP up, Ryan Thompson(H, 3) struck out his only batter faced. Next, Matt Wisler (H, 2) threw a clean frame in the 7th inning. However, the results were not suitable for Brooks Raley as he gave up three hits and an earned run. To stabilize the ship, Andrew Kittredge was implemented in the 8th inning (not the 9th) but did earn his third win of the season. So, who gets the save? That’s right, Jason Adams (???). The save was Adams’ first of the season.
- On the other side, after starter Kevin Gausman was effective for seven innings, Tim Mayza (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER) struggled to string outs together. Coming in for the final out, David Phelps walked a batter before striking out Ji-Man Choi.
- After coming in to relieve starter Yu Darvish, Robert Suarez struggled mightily. His HR allowed to Dansby Swanson give two earned runs to Darvish. Next, Luis García earned the W by allowing a hit and completing his inning with relatively no issues. In the top of the 8th, Steven Wilson (H, 5) allowed a hit and was pulled before completing the inning. Finally, Taylor Rogers closed the door for his 13th save of the season.
- For the Braves, former closer Will Smith (1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 1 K) was a mess in the 7th inning. Following Smith, Spencer Strider didn’t help Atlanta’s cause by giving up two earned runs in an inning of work. Lastly, even Darren O’Day got in the act and gave up two earned runs in his appearance. Oof! Not a good night for the Atlanta bullpen.
- After seven masterful innings from starter Nick Pivetta, the Red Sox only needed to deploy Kutter Crawford for the final six outs. Crawford has been sketchy, but this outing wasn’t so bad, and his ERA drops under 9.0-yikes!
- Brett Martin was the first call from the pen for the Rangers, and he allowed a hit to Christian Vazquez and allowed an earned run charged to starter Dane Dunning. After Martin, long-reliever Garrett Richards (2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 K) didn’t put on a great showing and was a little wild with the command. Finally, Josh Sborz is back from minors and threw a scoreless inning of work.
- With plenty of rested arms, the Twins bullpen got many of the primary RPs in the game. Griffin Jax was the first player out of the pen and vultured his third win of the season. Although, he allowed four earned runs. Joe Smith (H, 6) stuck out his only batter faced on four pitches (all strikes). In the 8th inning, Jhoan Duran threw a clean frame to drop his ERA to 3.45. Finally, Emilio Pagán entered the 9th inning but didn’t fare very well. The HR given up went unearned after a fielding error by Royce Lewis.
- Starter Aaron Civale had a meltdown on the mound and put the team in an early hole. To make matters worse, Bryan Shaw didn’t record an out and gave up two HRs, resulting in five earned runs. Down a massive amount, Cleveland sent out Eli Morgan (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K), Anthony Gose (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K), and Sam Hentges (1 IP, 1 ER, 1 K) for the final three innings.
- Due to a gem from starter Gerrit Cole, the Yankees only used one RP. Michael King tossed 36 pitches over a little more than two innings. He allowed three hits and one earned run while striking out two.
- The White Sox utilized lower-leverage arms for this one. Bennett Sousa hurled two innings of clean baseball, and Reynaldo López chipped in a scoreless inning. Matt Foster imploded for three earned runs on five hits (including one HR).
- The Giants only needed three RPs in an 8-2 victory over St Louis. After a scoreless frame, Dominic Leone (H, 3) allowed one hit and dropped his ERA to 2.70. Zack Littell didn’t do as well, and Paul Goldschmidt took him deep in the bottom of the 8th inning. Finally, Jarlín García tossed a clean 9th inning to solidify the team’s 20th victory.
- They decided to use a barrage of lower-leverage arms for the Cardinals in this one. Packy Naughton (1.1 IP, 1 BB, 3 K), Jake Walsh (0.2 IP, 1 K, 1 BB), and Jake Woodford (1 IP, 2 BB, 1 K) managed to keep the scoreboard scoreless. But the same could not be said for Nick Wittgren and T.J. McFarland. The duo combined for five earned runs in an inning of work.
- In an event full of scoring, the Royals were victorious. Dylan Coleman cultured the W after walking two in a scoreless inning. Next, Gabe Speier (H, 1) allowed three earned runs on four hits. His biggest issue was the long ball, as two Rockies took him deep. In the 8th, Josh Staumont was pulled in favor of Scott Barlow. The inning and an out save for Barlow was his third of the season.
- For the Rockies, outside of Jhoulys Chacín (1.1 IP, 1 K) and Ty Blach (1 IP, 1 K), the rest was terrible! Carlos Estévez and Alex Colomé game up multiple runs, some earned and some unearned. Do yourself a favor and try to avoid Rockies RPs.
- Aaron Loup (H, 8) started the bullpen action with a clean 7th inning for the Angels. Following Loup, setup man Ryan Tepera (H, 9) danced around a hit to strike out one in his lone inning of work. Lastly, as with all save opportunities, Raisel Iglesias struck out one batter to earn his eighth save of the season.
- After starter Daulton Jefferies cruised through six innings, the bullpen kept the game close. Kirby Snead (1 IP, 1 K) and Sam Moll (1 IP, 1 H, 2 K) combined for scoreless outings. Also, Lou Trivino (1 IP, 1 K) entered the game in the 8th inning, and if you still thought he was the closer, think again!
- The Phillies and Dodger combined for 22 runs. The early departure of starter Kyle Gibson caused the Phillies to throw several bullpen arms. Let’s make this easier; earning holds were Brad Hand, Nick Nelson, and Andrew Bellatti. Due to closer Corey Knebel pitching back-to-back nights, Jeurys Familia came in for the save opportunity but allowed an HR and blown save; yet he collected the win. Closing the game in the 10th inning was long-reliever Francisco Morales.
- Similarly, the Dodgers used a bevy of RPs as well. Additionally, when the scoring was fierce, many didn’t fair well. Craig Kimbrel allowed a hit but struck out two in a non-save opportunity. Alex Vesia (0 IP, 1 H, 3 ER, 2 BB) and Evan Phillips (1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K) were lousy, but three earned runs were charged to Vesia. Tommy Kahnle walked two batters but didn’t allow a run. Also, Phil Bickford and Brusdar Graterol gave up earned runs. Overall, not a night to be a Dodger’s bullpen arm.
Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)
Good stuff as always and sorry to nitpick, but just FWIW, Conner Menez threw 42 innings for the Giants in 2019-21 before coming to the Cubs this season.