Reliever Ranks – 5/21

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

 

• We have a full slate of games on tap today, with one doubleheader(NYM@COL).
• Six teams(BOS, TBR, CHW, LAA, TEX, MIA) have off on Monday, so we could expect bullpens to get pushed until then.

 

• The Texas Rangers optioned Josh Sborz to Triple-A and recalled Nick Snyder in his place.
• The San Diego Padres optioned Steven Wilson and activated lefty Tim Hill from the 15-day IL.

 

• The Oakland Athletics optioned Kirby Snead to the minors and promoted Jacob Lemoine.
• The Detroit Tigers placed Will Vest on the COVID-19 IL.

 

• The Boston Red Sox optioned Ryan Brasier to Triple-A.

 

Yesterday’s Performances

 

• Last night, ARI@CHC was like a mini-HR Derby. After starter Kyle Hendricks was taxed with four deep balls, all three RPs allowed one HR as well. Daniel Norris, Mychal Givens, and Robert Gsellman pitched an inning of work while allowing a solo shot. However, none of them factored into the game’s decision because Chicago went down early.
• The Diamondbacks tried getting Caleb Smith(1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 HR) into the game for some work, but he allowed a walk and a pair of dingers. Following Smith, Noé Ramirez(H, 8) tossed a scoreless inning and struck out two batters. Wit1 h the game firmly in hand, the team turned the ball over to Sean Poppen(1.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 BB), who looked very shaky, but Arizona eventually claimed victory in a 10-6 game.

 

• In a tightly contested game, the Cardinals only utilized two RPs to move three games above .500. Génesis Cabrera(0.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER) entered the top of the 8th inning but could not make it out. He allowed three hits and two runs to cross home plate, although only was earned due to a Nolan Arenado throwing error. Needing the bleeding to spot, closer Giovanny Gallegos(S, 8) was brilliant as he struck out five batters in a multi-inning save. That was Gallegos’s third appearance in four nights, so he might be unavailable. Next in line for a save would be Ryan Helsley.
• After starter Zach Thompson, the bullpen had difficulty collecting outs, and Heath Hembree and Anthony Banda were disasters on the mound. Both RPs entered the mound in the 6th inning, and neither recorded more than one out. Additionally, the duo put the team too deep in the hole for a comeback. Making an appearance without an earned run was Chase De Jong(1.0 IP, 1 K), Tyler Beede(1.0 IP, 1 H), and Chris Stratton(1.0 IP).

 

• The Braves jumped out to an early five-run lead and never looked back. After starter Charlie Morton hurled a quality 5.1 innings of work, Collin McHugh(H, 3) quietly finished the sixth inning. Next up, Spencer Strider(H, 2) danced around a pair of hits and safely made it through the seventh. Up by two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning, the team went with A.J. Minter(H, 7) as he struck out two batters while allowing one base runner via a batted ball. After back-to-back nights of work, closer Kenley Jansen was unavailable for work. Former closer Will Smith(S, 2) struck out a pair of batters to end the game. I’d expect Jansen back in tonight’s action.
• Trevor Rogers only tossed four innings and allowed three bombs to put the bullpen in a bind. Thankfully, Louis Head(3.0 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 K) was able to right the ship with plenty of no-run baseball. Getting in the mix, Dylan Floro tossed a clean inning, which was very much needed for him at this point. Lastly, Steven Okert completed a scoreless 9th inning and dropped his ERA to 2.31.

 

• It took 13 innings to decide the TBR@BAL game. Nick Vespi(1-0) claimed the bullpen victory after hurling two innings with three Ks and only allowing two base runners. Making a scoreless multi-inning appearance was Keegan Akin(2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 K). Cionel Pérez(0.2 IP, 1 H) made another scoreless appearance in extra innings and dropped his ERA to 0.77.
• On the losing side, last night, the Rays emptied the bullpen. In total, nine pitchers toed the rubber. Brooks Raley earned his fifth hold on the season while only recording a single out. Matt Wisler coughed up a pair of runs(1 unearned) in his lone inning of work. However, taking the loss was Ralph Garza Jr. after a walk-off HR from Rougned Odor.

 

• Craig Kimbrel(S, 8) was needed after Phil Bickford couldn’t get out of the 9th inning. Additionally, the Dodgers’ bullpen was masterful before Bickford as a trio(Yency Almonte, Alex Vesia, and Evan Phillips) each made scoreless appearances and earned a hold.
• On the flip side, starter Ranger Suárez only made it through three innings. However, the bullpen was ready and didn’t allow an earned run in six innings of work. Nick Nelson(2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB), James Norwood(2.0 IP. 2 BB, 3 K), Jeurys Familia(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB), Andrew Bellatti(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 K).

 

• For Toronto, Ryan Borucki(H, 2) and Adam Cimber(H, 5) combined to close out the 7th inning with one run charged to Borucki. The bullpen needed to be perfect with a 2-1 score in the 8th inning. Yimi García(H, 8) made the call as he struck out a pair of batters to keep the game scoreless. To finish out the game, Jordan Romano(S, 13) threw a quiet inning without allowing a single base runner.
• After starter Luis Castillo completed the sixth inning, the Reds only went with two RPs. Hunter Strickland allowed one base hit but sat the rest down for a clean 7th inning. Next up, Art Warren struck out the first batter before allowing Santiago Espinal to single. Shortly after, Espinal is caught stealing for the second out of the inning before finally, Raimel Tapia grounds out to end the inning.

 

• Enyel De Los Santos(1.2 IP, 2 K) earned his first hold of the season with a scoreless appearance in the 7th and 8th inning. Needing some work since he hadn’t pitched since Tuesday, Emmanuel Clase(1.0 IP, 2 K) came in for a non-save opportunity. Of course, he was lights out.
• After starter Tarik Skubal exited the game due to a comebacker, Jacob Barnes(1.o IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 1 HR, 2 K) didn’t fare well. With the score 4-0, the team elected to use a pair of lower-leverage arms(Jason Foley and Drew Carlton) to complete the game.

 

• Boston grabbed an early four-run lead in the 3rd inning and piled on late for the victory. Vulturing the win from starter Michael Wacha was Austin Davis(1-1) after striking out a pair of batters in a little more than an inning of work. Jake Diekman(H, 9) kept his ERA under 3.00 with another scoreless frame that featured two Ks. John Schreiber(H, 3) allowed an unearned run over his inning of work. Finally, up by four runs, Matt Strahm put a zero on the scoreboard as Boston earned its 17th win.
• Seattle may have found something with RP Penn Murfee as he pitched another scoreless inning. He’s only allowed one earned run in more than 12 innings. Diego Castillo(0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER) imploded on the mound, and Anthony Misiewicz allowed an HR in less than an inning.

 

• The Texas Rangers didn’t need any bullpen arms as starer Martín Pérez pitched a complete game shutout.
• In the 7th inning, Ryne Stanek kept the scoreboard silent. However, Rafael Montero could not keep the trend as two unearned runs crossed home plate as he failed to exit the 8th inning. Finishing out the game, Blake Taylor(1.0 IP, 1 BB) and Phil Maton(0.1 IP, 1 K) finished the game without allowing a run.

 

• Emilio Pagán locked down his sixth save of the season. Although, it was a shaky one as he allowed three hits and an HR. Waiting in the wings, Jhoan Duran(H, 4) was perfect in 1.2 innings of work with a pair of Ks. Griffin Jax(H, 3) was efficient, and his ERA dipped below 3.00 again. Tyler Duffey(H, 5) earned a hold but put on a poor performance as he allowed three hits and two earned runs while only recording one out.
• Dylan Coleman(0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 1 K), who’s usually reliable, got shelled for the Royals. His biggest issue was the command, as only 48% of his pitches went for strikes. Joel Payamps(2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 K) made a multi-inning appearance and dominated. He carries a 1.47 ERA over 18.1 innings of work.

 

• The Brewers held the Nationals scoreless with a gem by starter Eric Lauer and a pair of RPs. In the top of the 8th inning, Devin Williams(H, 11) gave up a double to Juan Soto but struck out Nelson Cruz on four pitches. With the game firmly in hand, closer Josh Hader got the night off, and Aaron Ashby got the call. He was perfect and only needed seven pitchers (all thrown for strikes) to complete the 9th inning.
• Víctor Arano(0.1 IP, 1 H) got starter Erick Fedde out of a jam in the 6th inning. Carl Edwards Jr.(1.0 IP, 2 BB) and Paolo Espino(o.2 IP, 1 K) notched scoreless outings. However, Austin Voth got rocked for five earned runs while only recording one out.

 

• Oakland’s closer Dany Jiménez(S, 8) completed another scoreless frame, and his 0.55 ERA remains sparkling. A.J. Puk(H, 3) struck out two more batters in his inning of work, and he’s been dominant since stepping into the setup role. Zach Jackson(1.1 IP, 2 K) earned his seventh hold of the season. Sam Moll(1-0) also vultured the W as starter Paul Blackburn was pulled in the fifth inning.
• The Angels’ bullpen went a different route in this one. In the fifth inning, Kyle Barraclough(1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 K) relieved starter Chase Silseth. Then, long-reliever Jimmy Herget pitched the final three frames of scoreless baseball.

 

• In extra innings, Robert Suarez(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 K) earned his first save of the season. However, earning the win after blowing a save opportunity in the 9th inning was Luis García since closer Taylor Rogers was unavailable from over-usage. The expectations are that Rogers will be available tonight. Also, first day back from the IL, Tim Hill earned his fifth hold.
• Giants’ closer Camilo Doval(0-2) was charged with the loss after allowing two runs on two hits. Submarine pitcher Tyler Rogers how his own woes in the 8th inning as he allowed a pair of earned runs from a Wil Myers double. Although, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for the pen. John Brebbia(1.0 IP, 1 K) tossed 67% of his pitches for strikes and kept things clean. Zack Littell(0.2 IP, 1 BB, 2 K) was also a part of the clean plate club.