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
- The upcoming Monday(6/6) is a massive travel day, and only the following teams play ball: BOS, TOR, CLE, TOR, HOU, LAA, SEA, TEX, NYM, CIN, ARI, and SDP. So, expect these bullpens to get pushed hard over the weekend.
- Every MLB takes the field today, and including STL@CHC for a doubleheader.
- The Tampa Bay Rays placed J.P. Feyereisen on the 15-day IL.
- The Baltimore Orioles placed Joey Krehbiel on the 15-day IL.
- The Minnesota Twins traveled to Toronto and placed a few players on the restricted list: Emilio Pagán and Trevor Megill.
- The Chicago White Sox reinstated Kendall Graveman from the restricted list.
- The Chicago Cubs are spot starting Caleb Kilian and Matt Swarmer, which might lead to bulk work for Daniel Norris.
- The Atlanta Braves are listing Spencer Strider as the starter, but he’s failed to go more than 4.1 innings this year. That would leave the door open for Jesse Chavez to vulture a win.
Yesterday’s Performances
Cardinals 14, Cubs 5
- After starter Miles Mikolas was just meh (5.0 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 4 K), the Cardinals let Zack Thompson piggyback the rest of the way. Over his four innings of work, Thompson struck out three batters and scattered three hits.
- It wasn’t a good day to be a Chicago Cubs‘ RP as things got out of hand early and Mark Leiter Jr. didn’t help by allowing three earned runs in a four-inning appearance. Additionally, things were so bleak that 1B Frank Schwindel (1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER) stepped onto the mound, and served up two HRs.
Diamondbacks 8, Pirates 6
- People can laugh all they want at closer Mark Melancon (S, 11), but he continues to rack up the saves, even if they come with a bloated ERA and WHIP. Also making a solid appearance in the sixth inning was Joe Mantiply (H,6). In the seventh inning, Noé Ramirez (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) was a bit shaky but got the job done. Sadly, J.B. Wendelken (0.0 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 1 BB) couldn’t find the strike zone and paid the price.
- The Pirates were down 6-3 by the fifth inning and didn’t use any high-leverage arms. Anthony Banda (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) and Tyler Beede (2.0 IP, 1 BB) were effective in the loss.
Mariners 4, Rangers 3
- Due to a tightly contested game, starter Logan Gilbert(6.0 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K) didn’t factor in the decision. However, Penn Murfee (1-0) did and was lights out in his inning of work by striking out two. In 16 appearances, he touts a 31.8% K-rate and 1.02 ERA. Collecting his third save of the season, Paul Sewald was outstanding as well. He struck out a pair while walking one batter. Although, he labored through 53 pitches in back-to-back appearances. I’d consider looking at Diego Castillo or Andrés Muñoz for a save tonight.
- Joe Barlow (BS, 1) blew his first save of the season after allowing HR to Eugenio Suarez. Before the meltdown, Matt Bush(H, 6) grabbed his second hold in the last week. He danced around a hit by striking out two batters.
Astros 10, Royals 3
- The Astros didn’t need much help from the bullpen after Urquidy threw six strong innings. Instead, the team found work for Blake Taylor and Phil Maton, as the pair combined for an inning of scoreless ball. Completing the eighth and ninth inning, Seth Martinez (2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K) continues his scoreless stretch of 11 innings pitched.
- Starter Brady Singer (5.0 IP, 8 H, 7 ER, 4 K) has been solid lately but last night was anything but that. With the game seemingly out of reach, the only notable RP used was Josh Staumont (1.0 IP, 1 H). Additionally, Staumont hasn’t pitched since 5/28, so he’ll be ready for tonight.
Padres 7, Brewers 0
- For the Padres, starter Joe Musgrove (8.0 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 6 K) did his thing, and that allowed the bullpen to rest while only Craig Stammen (1.0 IP, 1 K) made an appearance.
- Since the Brewers’ offense couldn’t scrape together anything, the bullpen wasn’t tapped into too much. Until last night, Miguel Sánchez (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K) had been spectacular on the season. All-in-all, it was a rare evening with starter Corbin Burnes not lasting past the fourth inning.
Braves 3, Rockies 1
- In the eighth inning, A.J. Minter (1.0 IP, 2 K) was the recipient of a lucky W after a scoreless frame. As the game went into extra-innings, Kenley Jansen (S, 13) allowed a hit and an unearned run while striking out two batters. It’s always kind of shaky with Jansen but he keeps piling up the saves.
- The Rockies bullpen wasn’t sharp but got the job done until extra innings. Additionally, the main culprit in the collapse was Carlos Estévez (0.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K). However, before the implosion, Daniel Bard, Tyler Kinley, and Alex Colomé combined for three innings of scoreless baseball.
Red Sox 7, Athletics 2
- The Red Sox bullpen has been a wild ride in 2022. Additionally, last night wasn’t much different. Tyler Danish (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) escaped the seventh inning. Next, Matt Strahm (0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) allowed multiple base runners and was eventually removed for John Schreiber (0.2 IP, 1 BB, 1 K). Finally, Ryan Brasier (1.0 IP, 1 K) brought the rollercoaster to a screeching hold.
- Oakland spared the high-leverage RPs and elected to toss five middle-relievers instead. The group combined for 3.2 innings of work and allowed three earned runs. The glaring problems were Domingo Acevedo (0.1 IP, 2 ER, 1 BB) and Sam Moll (0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K).
Dodgers 6, Mets 1
- The big news from this one is LA electing to use Daniel Hudson (not Craig Kimbrel) in the ninth inning. Hudson earned his fourth save of the season but pitched on back-to-back nights. If available, Kimbrel should be the obvious choice for any save opportunity.
- The Mets didn’t use any high-leverage arms. Instead, Joely Rodríguez (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 K) wasn’t able to stop the bleeding and Stephen Nogosek (1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 K) coughed up a solo shot.
Nationals 8, Reds 5
- With the exception of Víctor Arano (0.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER), the bullpen was terrific. Kyle Finnegan (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 K) shut down the Reds’ late-inning rally before Tanner Rainey (S, 6) walked one in the bottom of the ninth inning.
- The Reds bullpen didn’t fare as well. Jeff Hoffman (1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 K) shouldn’t have come out for the second inning but did have solid command of the strike zone (65% strikes). Making a late-inning appearance was Luis Cessa (1.0 IP, 2 K), who blew away Nelson Cruz and Josh Bell.
Giants 15, Marlins 6
- Due to a scratched start for Alex Cobb, the Giants were forced into making this a bullpen game. Five pitchers entered the game and no one hurled more than three innings. Zack Littell (1-1) vultured the win as he entered the game in the fifth innings for six outs. Additionally, nabbing two solid innings of work was Jarlín García(2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 K).
- The Marlins tried an unconventional approach by using an opener Richard Bleier( 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) before Elieser Hernandez (4.1 IP, 8 H, 8 ER, 2 BB, 7 K). Elieser allowed four HRs and put the Marlins in a massive hole. Yikes! Also having issues on the bump was Louis Head (1.2 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 3 K). Double YIKES! In the eighth inning, Cole Sulser found work (12 pitchers) and struck out a pair. Finally, we had another position player pitching-Willians Astudillo (1.0 IP, 1 BB).
Guardians 6, Orioles 5
- Cleveland grabbed an early five-run lead by the third inning and never looked back. Eli Morgan (H, 3) struck out the only batter he faced on six pitches. That makes his third hold since Monday (5/30), and he should be on your radar in Sv+Holds leagues. Entering the final frame up by one, the club turned to Emmanuel Clase (S, 8), who cut down batters and struck out two.
- After starter Bruce Zimmermann (5.2 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, 1 K) wasn’t very good, the team used a couple of lower-leverage arms. The only noteworthy RP utilized was Félix Bautista (1.0 IP), whose scoreless frame dropped his ERA to 2.05.
Phillies 10, Angels 0
- The Angels deployed five RPs last night and elected to rest the pen. So, Jaime Barria (4.0 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 K) was used in a multi-inning role out of the pen. The baseballs were really jumping and the three HRs destroyed his outing. Also making an appearance was Andrew Wantz (2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 K).
- Philly decided to spare the pen as well since starter Zach Eflin (8.0 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 6 K) was dealing.
Twins 9, Blue Jays 3
- Vulturing his first win of the season, Jharel Cotton (2.0 IP, 2 K) made his first appearance after getting promoted to the big league roster. In the seventh inning, Tyler Duffey (1.0 IP, 1 BB) kept the scoreboard quiet. Following Duffey, Joe Smith (1.0 IP) hurled a scoreless frame and dropped his ERA to 1.59. Lastly, Griffin Jax (1.0 IP, 1 K) finished off the Blue Jays in the ninth. Given the usage from last night, Jhoan Duran would be a nice weekend pickup for anyone trying to find saves.
- In a game they found themselves down early, the Blue Jays elected to rest their high-leverage arms. Instead, Trevor Richards (1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 K) and Julian Merryweather (1.0 IP, 1 H) found some work.
Yankees 13, Tigers 0
- The Yankees typically don’t need much help from the RPs when Cole takes the mound. Last night wasn’t any different, and only Manny Bañuelos (2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K) was needed in relief.
- Last night, Will Vest (1.0 IP, 1 BB, 2 K) was the lone bright spot in the Tigers’ bullpen. Yet again, we saw another position player pitching. Second baseman Harold Castro (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB) made an appearance.
Rays 6, White Sox 3
- After a four-run first inning, the Rays looked to have this one in hand. Matt Wisler (1.0 IP, 2 BB, 2 K) chucked slider after slider to keep things blank. Finally, in the ninth inning, Colin Poche (S, 3) bailed out Shawn Armstrong (0.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 K). Is Poche the Rays’ RP to pickup with Feyereisen on the IL? Who knows for sure, it’s the Rays.
- The White Sox didn’t see fit to utilize any high-leverage arms. Rather, the only noteworthy RP used was Matt Foster (0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER), who lived a bit too much in the strike zone.
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 5/26: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds
Closing Time 5/31: Ranking the Top 40 Closers
Top 100 Relievers for Save+Hold Leagues: 5/27
Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)