Reliever Ranks – 9/6

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

 

• Eight teams took Monday off day, six were scheduled (ATL, CHC, CIN, MIA, PHI, OAK), while two (NYM, PIT) had their scheduled game postponed and will make it up with a double header on Wednesday.

 

• The Astros are expected to activate Ryan Pressly from the IL today. Once he is he should be placed right back into the ninth inning for Houston.
• Baltimore recalled Bruce Zimmermann from AAA, replacing Rico Garcia in their bullpen
• The White Sox activated Aaron Bummer from the IL
• The Blue Jays added Zach Pop (recalled) and Julian Merryweather (IL) to their bullpen, while optioning Casey Lawrence to AAA.

 

BOS 3 – TB 4

• Jeurys Familia was credited with his third blown save of the year after allowing two earned runs off just one hit and a hit batter, recording just one out in the seventh inning. Newly recalled Zack Kelly allowed his inherited runner to score  before finally ending the inning and then pitching a clean 1-2-3 eighth. As with most of the Boston bullpen, these two can be ignored for fantasy purposes for the remainder of the year.
• The blown opportunity for Familia ultimately opened the door for Tampa Bay to draw a name out of a hat to see who would get the save opportunity for them. Today’s winner was Pete Fairbanks who picked up his 5th save of the season while striking out two and allowing just one hit. Calvin Fauchner was at the right place at the right time and did enough in the form of a scoreless sixth inning, picking up his second win of the season before making way to Colin Poche who struck out the side in the 8th, earning his 18th hold.

 

TOR 7 – BAL 3 – Game 1
TOR 8 – BAL 4 – Game 2

• Both the Orioles and Blue Jays utilized six relievers throughout the day, thanks to the double header they played, though thanks to the fact that Toronto never relinquished the lead in either game past the second inning, all the hardware went their way. Tim Mayza and Adam Cimber were the only pitchers to received holds (Game 1) as the Blue Jays kept their lead above three most of each game.
• Rookie DL Hall recorded the final out of the eighth inning in Game 1, but struggled (again) to the tune of three runs off four hits and a walk after coming back out in the ninth. He was lifted before he could record an out in the inning, leaving two runners on base for Cole Sulser to clean up. As exciting as a prospect Hall is, he’s a bit too volatile and without a defined role to roster in just about every format beyond dynasty.

 

MIN 2 – NYY 5

• Clay Holmes picked up his second straight save in as many days, pitching a perfect ninth inning and recording two strike outs along the way. With Wandy Peralta recording the previous five out in an extremely efficient manner (just 13 pitches), recording his ninth hold on the year, the Yankees could turn to him again on Tuesday if another save opportunity arises.

 

MIL 6 – COL 4

• Devin Williams collected his 10th save in Colorado Monday, recording the final four outs for the Brewers while allowing one walk and striking out one. Taylor Rogers, Matt Bush, and Brad Boxberger each recorded a hold as they bridged the gap between Williams and starter Adrian Houser, combining for two and a third innings, three hits, one walk, and three strikeouts. The Brewers play seven games in the next six days, including a double header on Thursday, so there should be plenty more opportunities ahead for the entire bullpen.

 

WAS 6 – STL 0

• Mason Thompson picked up his first save after finishing off the final three innings in scoreless fashion, allowing just one hit and striking out one. Hunter Harvey pitched (another) clean inning as well, though failed to record a strikeout for the first time in his previous 10 appearances.

 

ARI 5 – SD 0

• The Padres’ closer options Nick Martinez and Josh Hader both pitched in this one and both allowed runs to score. Martinez allowed two runs off two hits and a walk in the eighth, while Hader allowed one run to score off a walk. Thanks to solid base running by Jake McCarthy, who took the lead off walk, a sac fly would be all that was needed to allow the run to score. Nick Martinez hadn’t pitched previously since the previous Tuesday, so this usage shouldn’t be indicative to a role change, though the results surely must have manager Bob Melvin questioning who will get the call in a tight spot later in the week.

 

CWS 3 – SEA 2

• Liam Hendriks picked up his 30th save, despite allowing a run to score off two hits and a walk. Kendall Graveman recorded his 23rd hold, setting up Hendriks with a scoreless eighth. Both Graveman and Hendriks needed at least 27 pitches to push through their appearance so don’t be too suprised to see each of them get a day of rest on Tuesday, especially with Graveman getting a limited appearance on Sunday as well.

 

TEX 0 – HOU 1

• Rafael Montero picked up what might be his last save opportunity for a while and converted his 12th save of the year. Ryan Pressly is expected to return to action on Tuesday, which will push Montero back to a set up role along with Bryan Abreu and Héctor Neris, who each pitched perfect innings of relief on Monday, each striking out two and earning a hold for their trouble.

 

CLE 6 – KC 5

• Emmanuel Clase was called upon in the 10th inning to hold Cleveland’s two run lead and though he did allow the ghost runner to come around to score, he did his ultimate job and preserved the victory, picking up his 31st save in the process. Eli Morgan pitched a scoreless ninth inning and was credited with his 5th win of the year while Same Hentges, who has seen plenty of work over the course of the past seven days, recorded the first four outs out of the bullpen and walked away with his third hold.
• The Royals turned to their closer Scott Barlow to hold the tie in the ninth. He did just that, pitching around a walk and a hit, while striking out two to leave the ninth scoreless. Carlos Hernández took the loss after failing to repeat Barlow’s success, giving up two runs off one hit and a walk. This was Barlow’s second straight game and he needed 24 pitches in this one, so look for Dylan Coleman to get the ball in a tight spot late in the game Tuesday.

 

DET 0 – LAA 10

• Both sides of this one filled their late innings with fillers, just trying to get through the game and make their way to Tuesday, keeping all their high leverage options rested for future opportunities.

 

SF 7 – LAD 4

• Camilo Doval picked up his 20th save for the Giants, striking out two and pitching around one hit in his scoreless ninth inning appearance Monday. He was set upo by Scott Alexander and Yunior Marte, who each recorded their first hold of the season, despite the solo home run given up by Marte in the seventh. This marked Doval’s third straight day on the mound and will surely be getting a day of rest Tuesday. With Dominic Leone and Tyler Rogers not seeing action since at least Wednesday, expect each of them to get late inning work Tuesday, regardless of the score.

 

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)