Reliever Ranks – 5/28

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

 

• Six teams are off on Monday, including NYY, TOR, CHW, LAA, SEA, and CIN.
• CLE@DET and COL@WSH were postponed last night and have fully rested bullpen arms.
• Doubleheader Alert! BOS@BAL and COL@WSH square off twice today.

 

• The Philadelphia Phillies optioned José Alvarado to the minor leagues.
• Phil Bickford was optioned to the Triple-A affiliated to make room for starter Ryan Pepiot.

 

• The Colorado Rockies activated Robert Stephenson from the COVID IL and optioned Justin Lawrence.
• If you were holding Chad Green in your IL slot, feel free to drop him as the New York Yankees transferred him to the 60-day IL.

 

Yesterday’s Performances

 

• After an early Kyle Bradish implosion, the Orioles looked like they didn’t stand a chance. However, in a stunning comeback, the bullpen kept the Red Sox scoreless for the final four innings. In the 8th inning, Cionel Pérez(3-0) was in the right place at the right time to collect the win. Finally, to complete the shocker, Jorge López throws eight of his 12 pitches for strikes and ends the night in a non-save opportunity.
• On the flip side, Boston couldn’t stay out of its way. Jake Diekman(1.0 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 1 BB) allowed an HR as he escaped the 7th inning. John Schreiber(H, 4) didn’t make it out of the 8th inning and gave up an HR of his own. Continuing the trend, Matt Strahm lasted only one out but allowed five hits and three earned runs.

 

• Mets’ closer Edwin Díaz notched his 11th save of the season on a superb inning of work. He tossed 15 of his 16 pitches for strikes and struck out three batters while dancing around a hit. The rest of the bullpen was in shutdown more as they used four other RPs to earn their 30th victory. Chasen Shreve(H, 3), Drew Smith(H, 11), Joely Rodríguez(H,6), and Seth Lugo(H, 8) combined for 2.1 innings of one-run baseball.
• Andrew Bellatti, Jeurys Familia, and Brad Hand kept the scoreboard clean for the final three frames, but the damage was already done. Nick Nelson coughed up three earned runs in his two innings of work.

 

• The Reds collected only their 15th win by a final score of 5-1. Art Warren(S, 3) picked up the save while pitching an inning and two-thirds. Before slamming the door, Alexis Díaz(H, 4) struggled but got the job done as he allowed one earned run. His biggest issue was command, as only 13 of his 23 pitches went for strikes.
• In the bottom of the 6th inning, John Brebbia(0.2 IP, 1 K) relieved Rodón. Next man up, Zack Littell hurled a clean frame while striking out two batters. All-in-all, the bullpen was fine, but there wasn’t any help from the bats.

 

• The Yankees and Rays featured very little scoring as New York claimed victory on a 2-0 score. The lone RP utilized for the Yankees was Clay Holmes, and he was filthy. Additionally, his inning of work with a pair of Ks earned him save number six.
• Even the Rays went light on using RPs. Jalen Beeks(2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K) kept the basepaths relatively clean while not allowing anyone to cross the home plate. Lastly, Matt Wisler struck out one of the two batters he faced.

 

• Atlanta’s Kenley Jansen(S, 11) sat down two batters via a three-strike count while allowing one hit. Before his excellence, A.J. Minter notched his tenth save of the season as his ERA dipped to 1.35. Also joining the fun, Jackson Stephens(1-1) cultured the win with a pair of innings pitched.
• Louis Head(1.0 IP, 2 K) settled the scoring down in the 6th inning, but Steven Okert and Anthony Bass allowed three earned runs in their combined inning. Lastly, Tanner Scott(1.0 IP, 1 K) kept things quiet in the eighth inning, which could possibly make for an interesting situation for the next save opportunity.

 

• Up 10-5, the Twins handed the ball to Yennier Cano, who didn’t make it out of the inning and allowed two earned runs. Stepping in to save the day(and game) by strikeout was Emilio Pagán(S, 7). Other notable arms earning a hold were Jhoan Duran(H, 5) and Joe Smith(H, 10). Additionally, vulturing his first win was Trevor Megill on two-plus innings of work with a pair of Ks.
• The Royals have used their primary bullpen arms extensively as of late. So, lower-leverage RPs were utilized in this one. Additionally, long-reliever Joel Payamps suffered the most as he walked a pair and allowed three hits and four earned runs.

 

• Drew VerHagen(2-0) may have only pitched one-third of an inning, but it earned him the win. Scooping up another hold, Génesis Cabrera(H, 6) hurled two clean innings and dropped his ERA to 2.25. In the 9th inning, Kodi Whitley(1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 K) was pulled before he let this one slip away. The team elected to give Giovanny Gallegos the day off and turned to Ryan Helsley(0.2 IP, 1 K) to earn his third save.
• Brent Suter struggled yet again for Milwaukee. His pair of earned runs in the seventh inning was the deciding factor. Luis Perdomo(2.0 IP, 2 K) also made an appearance. His ERA drops to a crisp 1.74.

 

• Jordan Romano(S, 15) got the job down again as he struck out all three batters faced. However, he’s thrown 34 pitches between back-to-back appearances and likely won’t be available tonight. Adam Cimber has been stepping in to save games when Romano is unavailable, and he’s definitely worth the pickup in daily leagues.
• Raisel Iglesias(L, 1-3) came into the game in a non-save opportunity and allowed three hits. Thanks to a fielding error, the lone run was unearned, but he didn’t have a terrific outing. Still, he’s earned a long leash, and one game shouldn’t change your outlook on his position.

 

• Needing to find some work, Craig Kimbrel(1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB) came in for an inning of work. However, he didn’t look sharp as he gave up two earned runs. Entering in the 5th inning, Brusdar Graterol(1.2 IP, 1 H) settled things down and earned his first win of the season. Daniel Hudson made quick work in the 8th inning by striking out one and allowing no base runners.
• In the 7th inning, Arizona tossed J.B. Wendelken for three outs. He allowed two base runners(1 H, 1 BB) and an unearned run. Also, lower-leverage RP arm Tyler Holton hurled a clean frame as well.

 

• Stop me if you’ve heard this one; Taylor Rogers(S, 17) saved another ballgame. In a game led by seven innings from starter Sean Manaea, the team only needed two RP arms. Also, in the 8th inning, Nabil Crismatt(3-0) vultured the win.
• For the Pirates, Wil Crowe(1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K) didn’t have his best stuff. Additionally, he tossed 30 pitches and won’t be available tonight. Duane Underwood Jr. also made an appearance but wasn’t effective as he allowed an earned run in his only inning of work.

 

• The Mariners grabbed an early lead and never looked back. In the 8th inning, Andrés Muñoz shut the door after allowing one hit. The 9th inning belonged to Matthew Festa(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K) with the game firmly in hand.
• Houston did not use any noteworthy RPs.

 

• Thanks to a three-run outburst in the 9th inning, Dennis Santana(1.0 IP, 1 K) was able to notch his first save. The right to close games for the Rangers is usually reserved for Joe Barlow, and however, he pitched on back-to-back nights. We should expect Barlow back for action tonight.
• The Oakland Athletics bullpen was disastrous. Additionally, they gave up runs in the 7th, 8th, and 9th inning. Yikes! Furthermore, Dany Jiménez was charged with the loss after failing to make it out of the inning and allowed three earned runs. Still, he remains the closer.