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
- On Monday(7/11), we have a bunch of off days and could see the following bullpens push their high-leverage RPs: BAL, NYY, TOR, MIN, HOU, LAA, SEA, WSN, CHC, CIN, MIL, and LAD.
- All 30 teams are scheduled to play today after all 30 teams played last night.
- The Cincinnati Reds activated Alexis Díaz from the 15-day IL. He’ll likely enter back into the mix for save but settle into the setup role behind Hunter Strickland.
- The Los Angeles Angels optioned Oliver Ortega to Triple-A and recalled Reid Detmers. Over the past two weeks, Ortega only recorded one hold but allowed a few too many base runners.
- The Marlins promoted Elieser Hernandez while optioning Tommy Nance. Unless Hernandez gets another shot at the rotation, he’ll fill in the team’s multi-inning RP.
- Marcus Stroman returns from a lengthy IL stint and could be on a pitch count. If you’re looking for a multi-inning RP, Anderson Espinoza could finally get some work.
- Texas Rangers‘ manager Chris Woodward stated that Joe Barlow wouldn’t be the closer as the team wanted to take the stress off his arm. Dennis Santana, Brett Martin, and Matt Moore will likely factor into the 9th inning equation. Martin and Moore are both lefties, so we could see usage patterns determined by matchups. Stay tuned!
Yesterday’s Performances
TBR 1 – CIN 2
- Scoring came at a premium in this one. Colin Poche(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) danced around a few base runners but inevitably escaped his mess. Ryan Thompson(1.0 IP, 2 K) and Jason Adam(1.0 IP, 1 K) locked up the 8th and 9th innings, respectively. However, in the 10th inning, Matt Wisler(0.1 IP, 1 R, 1 BB) was unable to stop the ghost runner on second base from crossing home plate.
- Cincy got seven strong innings from starter Luis Castillo and turned to Alexis Díaz(1.0 IP, 1 BB, 3 K) and Hunter Strickland(1.0 IP, 2 BB) for the final two frames. Both RPs kept zeros on the scoreboard, and John Kuhnel(1.0 IP, 1 H) eventually picked up the W after a quiet 10th inning.
CHC 3 – LAD 4
- In another extra-inning game, the Cubs let this one slip away late. Chris Martin(1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K), Scott Effross(0.1 IP), and Mychal Givens(1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) earned holds while the team took a loss. Right, holds are a wonky stat. Moving on, David Robertson(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB) couldn’t find the strike zone and blew his fifth save of the season. In the bottom of the 10th, Rowan Wick recorded no outs and allowed the ghost runner on second base to score.
- The Dodgers found Yency Almonte(1.0 IP) and Caleb Ferguson(1.0 IP, 1 K) effective as they mowed down batters in the 8th and 9th inning. In the top of the 10th, Evan Phillips(1.0 IP) only needed eight pitches to set down three batters and boost his record to 3-3. Craig Kimbrel pitched back-to-back nights and was not available in this one.
LAA 4 – BAL 5
- Ried Detmers shut down LAA’s offense for six scoreless innings, but problems arose as the bullpen took over. José Quijada(1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K) and Ryan Tepera(1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K) notched holds but allowed Baltimore to inch closer. Up by two, things looked safe as Raisel Iglesias(0.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 K) entered the game but not so fast. His disastrous outing cost the team a W, and he is tallied with blown save number three.
- Keegan Akin(1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 K) and Cole Sulser(1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 K) kept the scoreboard clean from the 6th through 8th inning. Down 4-2 in the 9th inning, Dillon Tate(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER) served up a solo shot. However, Tate was credited the win as the bats scored three runs late.
MIA 5 – NYM 2
- Miami bullpen kept the Met’s bats in check with Dylan Floro(1.0 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) and Anthony Bass(1.0 IP, 2 K), keeping the team on top through seven innings. In the 8th inning, Steven Okert(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K) scuffled a bit and was unable to find command of his arsenal(26 pitches, 12 strikes). Finally, with a three-run cushion, Tanner Scott(1.0 IP, 1 BB) did his thing and earned save number 11.
- For the Mets, the bullpen did them no favors. Typically reliable, Drew Smith(1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER) served up a dinger, and Joely Rodríguez(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB) let this one slip away.
NYY 12 – BOS 5
- Nestor Cortes started the game but only lasted into the fourth inning. Miguel Castro(1.1 IP, 1 H, 3 K) was able to put out the fire and push his record to 5-0 as he was in the right place at the right time. Completing the final ten outs and earning the rare multi-inning save, Lucas Luetge(3.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 K) bailed the team out.
- The Yankees put up nine runs in the first four innings, and there isn’t much the bullpen can do after that. Eventually, Jackie Bradley Jr. pitched the 9th inning as the Red Sox spared any higher-leverage arms.
WSN 2 – ATL 12
- Another game that got out of hand early with Erick Fedde coughing up eight earned runs in three innings. After the early onslaught, a few lower-leverage arms found work, but no one was notable.
- Going into tonight, AJ Minter was unavailable. However, Atlanta didn’t need him or much bullpen help. Collin McHugh(1.0 IP, 1 H) kept things quiet in the 8th inning.
TEX 6 – MIN 5
- It was Gray vs. Gray to start the game but ended as a colorful game. Sonny Gray didn’t fare so well, and Jharrel Cotton(2.0 IP, 1 BB, 4 K) was serving up whiffs in his two innings. In the 8th, Emilio Pagán(1.0 IP, 2 K) looked sharp as nine of his ten pitches went for strikes. The bullpen kept things scoreless from the final three frames, but the offense didn’t do enough.
- For Texas, Jon Gray earned the victory but wasn’t lights out in his 5.1 innings of work. Although, the bullpen was stout and only allowed two base runners in 3.2 innings of work. Garrett Richards(0.2 IP) and Brock Burke(1.0 IP, 1 H) locked things down until the 7th inning. In the 8th, Dennis Santana(1.0 IP, 1 H) kept things on lockdown. Finally, Brett Martin(1.0 IP, 1 K) picked up his first save in a little bit of a shocker.
CLE 3 – KCR 4
- The Royals only managed one run on starter Aaron Civale, and then the bullpen entered. Eli Morgan(1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER) imploded in the 8th inning, and Sam Hentges(0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 K) did them no favors.
- Conversely, Cleveland didn’t scratch too much offense against starter Brady Singer either. Furthermore, the bullpen didn’t allow any runs. Joel Payamps(1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 K) and Scott Barlow(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) made things interesting but didn’t break.
DET 7 – CHW 5
- This week Detroit’s bullpen was taxed pretty hard, and Alex Lange and Andrew Chafin were unavailable after back-to-back performances. Instead, late in the game, the team tried to have Tyler Alexander(0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 K) bailout Jason Foley but the pair of RPs cost the team three runs. Then in the 9th and up by two runs, Michael Fulmer(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K) notched his second save with Gregory Soto getting rest after a 24-pitch Thursday night.
- For the White Sox, Joe Kelly(0.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB) continues his struggles. In 12.2 innings pitched, he’s carrying a 9.95 ERA and 2.45 WHIP – YIKES! More noteworthy, Reynaldo López(1.0 IP, 1 K) was flawless in his appearance. Since June 7th, López has only allowed two earned runs in his last 16 innings.
PIT 3 – MIL 4
- Starter JT Brubaker went five okay innings before Yerry De Los Santos(2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 K) served up a solo shot. Manny Bañuelos(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K) grabbed an inning between those two, but the offense was held in check, and the Pirates lost their 50th game.
- On the other side, Milwaukee got holds from Trevor Gott(1.0 IP, 1 K) and Hoby Milner(1.0 IP, 1 K) in the 6th and 7th inning. As usual, the 8th inning belonged to Devin Williams(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K), who is yet to allow a single barrel. Finally, Josh Hader(1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K) picked up his 26th save, but it was a shaky one.
PHI 2 – STL 0
- Starter Zack Wheeler spared the bullpen by tossing seven scoreless innings. Now, as we’ve seen developing, the team is using Seranthony Domínguez and Brad Hand based on matchups. Domínguez pitched the 8th inning in this one, and Hand grabbed his fourth save. On Thursday night, it was flip-flopped. Both are unavailable for Saturday, and we could see a similar usage pattern with southpaw José Alvarado and former-closer Corey Knebel.
- For the Cardinals, Adam Wainwright pitched a complete-game loss.
COL 6 – ARI 5
- Daniel Bard was unavailable after pitching back-t0-back nights, so Alex Colomé picked up his fourth save. Before then, Robert Stephenson(1.0 IP, 1 K) and Lucas Gilbreath(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) earned holds.
- After another poor outing from Mark Melancon, he got the night off. Instead, the team turned to Keynan Middleton(1.1 IP, 1 K) and Luke Weaver(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K) late in the game. This is a bullpen to avoid as there is a total lack of depth and trustability.
HOU 8 – OAK 1
- Starter José Urquidy looked sharp through eight innings of work. In turn, the only bullpen arm was Seth Martinez(1.0 IP, 2 K). It was a much-needed night off for the Astro’s high-leverage RPs.
- Houston tossed six runs on the board by the fifth inning, and the bullpen elected to go with lower-leverage arms. Sam Moll(2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 K) dropped his ERA down to 2.10, and Kirby Snead(2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K) hurled strikes but did was for not as the offense couldn’t figure out Urquidy.
SFG 3 – SDP 6
- San Fran tried a bullpen game, but it didn’t have the outcome they expected. Sam Long(2.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 K) never looked comfortable and couldn’t locate enough to get by. We saw plenty of viable RPs(Tyler Rogers, John Brebbia, and Zack Littell), but eventually, Jake McGee(1.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB) had a big-time meltdown. This bullpen has been falling apart lately, and needs to find someone to stabilize it.
- After Padres’ starter Blake Snell punched out 11 batters in six innings, the team utilized Nick Martinez(3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K) for the final nine, outs-earning him his third save.
TOR 2 – SEA 5
- With not much usage this week, we saw all the Toronto arms in this one. Additionally, they were much needed as the game went into extra innings. Yimi García(1.0 IP), Adam Cimber(1.1 IP, 2 K), and Tim Mayza(0.2 IP) helped keep things tied 2-2 through the 8th inning. In the 10th, Jordan Romano(1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) had another scoreless outing, but it was downhill quickly after that. Sergio Romo(0.0 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 1 BB) served up the walk-off HR to Eugenio Suárez.
- On the Mariners’ side, we saw the entire spectrum of arms as well. Joe Borucki(2.0 IP, 1 K) earned the W and pitched the final 10th and 11th inning. Before Borucki, Penn Murfee(0.2 IP, 1 K), Andrés Muñoz(1.0 IP, 1 H, 3 K), Diego Castillo(1.0 IP, 1 BB), Ken Giles(0.1 IP, 1 BB), and Paul Sewald(1.2 IP, 1 H, 3 K) made appearances in order. Additionally, Murfee and Castillo will likely get Saturday off since they pitched back-to-back nights. Sewald hurled 30 pitchers, so it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he sat either.
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 7/7: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday