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
- The following teams received a rest on Monday: BAL, BOS, TOR, CLE, DET, HOU, SEA, WSN, ARI, COL, SDP, and SFG.
- J.P. Hoostra of the Southern California News Group reported that Dave Roberts said he would not be using Craig Kimbrel exclusively in save situations. On top of that, Brusdar Graterol returned to the Dodgers’ bullpen after being activated from the IL.
- The Yankees placed Scott Effross on the IL and recalled Clarke Schmidt to take his place on the roster.
- The Cardinals placed Ryan Helsley on the restricted list.
Yesterday’s Performances
CWS 4 – KC 6
- Scott Barlow picked up his 20th save of the season, needing just 10 pitches to get through his scoreless ninth inning Monday. Amir Garrett was the pitcher of record, grabbing his third win of the year after his perfect eighth inning and has not allowed an earned run in his last 15 appearances (13 IP). Dylan Coleman threw 29 pitches as he was ultimately credited with a blown save after allowing a game tying run to score off two walks and a hit. Coleman has now pitched on back-to-back days and three of the last four for the Royals, so expect a day or two off for the set up man.
- The White Sox were forced to throw an unexpected bullpen game after starter Michael Kopech left his start without recording an out. Seven different members of the bullpen saw time on the mound, with all but Joe Kelly combining to keep Kansas City off the scoreboard. Kelly would load the bases to start the bottom of the eighth inning, walking home the go ahead run. José Ruiz would go on to allowing another Kelly’s base runners to score off a sacrifice fly before ending the threat by striking out the final batter of the inning. Kelly took the loss for his trouble.
CIN 1 – PHI 4
- With Seranthony Domínguez on the IL and the trio of David Robertson, Brad Hand, and José Alvarado all pitching in the past two days, the Phillies turned to Andrew Bellatti for the save opportunity on Monday and he converted with two strikeouts to boot. This was Bellatti’s second save of the year and though he’s proven he can be called upon in specific situations like this, there shouldn’t be much, if any, reliance on him being provided many more opportunities between now and the end of the season.
ATL 2 – PIT 1
- Kenley Jansen recorded his 29th save of the season, throwing 11 pitches and collecting two strikeouts in his perfect ninth inning. Jansen was set up nicely by A.J. Minter and Raisel Iglesias who combined for one hit and one walk through the previous two innings.
NYM 2 – NYY 4
- Jonathan Loáisiga picked up his first save of the year after recording the final four out of the Yankee’s two run victory over the Mets on Monday. Ron Marinaccio collected his fourth hold as he set up Loáisiga by recording the previous four outs and allowing just one walk while striking out one. With Scott Effross joining Clay Holmes on the IL the Yankees have plenty of options to pick and choose from to close out games through the remainder of the month.
LAA 1 – TB 2
- Another win, another Tampa Bay reliever receiving their first save of the season. This time it went to Shawn Armstrong who pitched a clean ninth to clinch the Rays’ victory over the Angels. Jalen Beeks and Jason Adam combined for two and a third scoreless innings, each collecting a hold for their trouble. Adam has now seen time on the mound in three of the last four days while this marks Armstrong’s second straight game, so perhaps we can all expect Pete Fairbanks back on the hill in a close game on Tuesday.
TEX 2 – MIN 1
- Every Texas reliever walked away with some hardware after their one run win over the twins on Monday. A.J. Alexy pitched the bulk of the game, reording seven outs and scattering a hit and a walk, earning himself his first W on the season in the process. Brett Martin and Jose LeClerc held down the fort, each picking up a hold along, as they set up Matt Moore to pick up the save in the ninth. Moore was provided the opportunity after blowing his save chance on Saturday and made up for it by throwing a perfect inning, good for his third save on the season.
STL 1 – CHC 0
- Jordan Montgomery did his best Greg Maddux impersonation, going the full nine inning with less than 100 pitches, and gave the St. Louis bullpen the day off.
- The Cubs should have a pretty well rested bullpen heading into their double header on Tuesday, as only Sean Newcomb and Kervin Castro were called upon on Monday after starter Drew Smyly took care if the first seven innings. Both Rowan Wick and Brandon Hughes will look to right their ship after shaking outings over the weekend.
MIA 3 – OAK 0
- Tanner Scott picked up his 18th save of the year, pitching around a hit and striking out one after needing 15 pitches to close out Miami’s victory over Oakland on Monday. Edward Cabrera went eight scoreless innings, saving the remainder of the Miami bullpen for Tuesday.
- The Athletics have recorded three total saves in the Month of August and they have each gone to three different pitchers. This is a bullpen fully worth avoiding down the stretch.
MIL 4 – LAD 0
- Brusdar Graterol returned to the Dodgers’ bullpen and pitched a clean eighth inning as he attempted to give his team an opportunity to come back from their one run deficit in the final inning. Unfortunately Paul Bickford had other plans, giving up an additional three runs off three hits, including back-to-back doubles to start the inning and a solo home run off Keston Hiura to cap things off.
- The Brewers’ pen collected three holds while the game was close, with Peter Strzelecki picking up his first, Hoby Milner grabbing his seventh, and Matt Bush recording his 12th on the season. The three pitchers combined for three scoreless innings, setting up Jason Alexander to finish off the four run victory with a scoreless ninth himself.
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: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday
Closing Time: Ranking the Top 30 Closers
Top 100 Relievers for Save+Hold Leagues
Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)