Bullpen Report: April 30, 2016
Zach Britton left a tied game with a lower body injury and took the loss. Britton struck out the first two batters he faced, and then left the game after Adam Eaton bunted towards him. Vance Worley came in to replace Britton and gave up the inherited run with two walks and a single. We don’t know the severity of Britton’s injury yet, but certainly monitor that situation moving forward. A potential replacement if he were to be shelved for any time would probably be Darren O’Day, who earned his first blown save of the season. O’Day pitched the 8th gave up three hits including a three-run homer by Todd Frazier.
AJ Ramos was unavailable, so David Phelps earned his second career save by pitching a scoreless inning against Milwaukee. Phelps has been a strong presence in the pen striking 16 over 14 innings with 1.29 ERA (2.51 FIP). Only concern are those 7 walks, but it looks like Phelps might have found a home in the bullpen. Not expecting him to steal too many saves from Ramos, though he definitely shows some value in SV/HLD leagues.
Jeurys Familia earned the save, but the Mets bullpen almost blew a three run lead. Henderson started strong striking out the first two hitters in the seventh. Terry Collins called on Addison Reed to get them out of a jam after Jim Henderson gave up a double and a walk, and Reed delivered striking out Angel Pagan. Reed then started his normal inning, the 8th, and allowed the first three runners on. Hansel Robles then came in and gave up 2 runs on two sacrifice flies. Jerry Blevins would then relieve Robles to get out of the inning. Familia closed it out allowing only a single. All these pitchers mentioned earned a hold except for Familia, so in short, tonight was a good night to have the Mets bullpen in SV/HLD leagues.
Quick Hits: Ryan Madson loaded the bases, but forced Evan Gattis to hit into a double-play to earn his 8th save. John Axford earned his fifth hold pitching a clean 1.1 innings. Francisco Rodriguez got his sixth save for his third straight scoreless outing. Jeanmar Gomez gave up two hits, but also went scoreless to get his 8th save. Andrew Bailey earned the win for Philadelphia and has looked sharp in his three appearances. That could be huge for a Phillies team whose bullpen struggled initially. Brad Ziegler entered a tied game and received a loss after giving up three runs on four hits and a walk. Jake McGee converted the save for his 5th of the year. Brett Cecil came into a tied game and gave up a run on three hits, including a Curt Casali walk-off. That is Cecil’s fifth loss. Pirates bullpen held Cincinnati scoreless, and Mark Melancon struck out the only batter he faced for the save (7).
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
“Hansel Robles then came in and gave up 2 runs on two sacrifice flies.”
For the Mets – Giants game: that somewhat undersells the Giants LOUD hits… The two sacrifice flies combined over 750 feet of travel. Easily could’ve been a different ballgame.
Crawford’s was barely a fly, it was to the warning track and it was practically a line drive. It was very lucky to be caught.
Why is Rodney in yellow? He is performing (0.00 ERA, 8k /8 IP), he has the pedigree, he has no serious competition.
I think Jake McGee and Jeanmar Gomez are pretty safe, too… esp. Gomez, whom the Phillies can market as a bona fide closer and flip at the trade deadline.
I think you need to also show some differentiation within a bullpen, too. Osuna is green, but Storen & Cecil are so red, liable to lose their ranking at any moment.
And the ‘looming’ category… Chapman and Boxberger aren’t just looming, the way Carson Smith & Romo are. When Smith & Romo get back, they are the setup guys, maybe, but Chapman & Boxberger sweep in and take the job as closer. Maybe you can make them in red font or something; Boxberger is only owned in 34% of ESPN leagues, and even Chapman is owned in only 92%, so this is not universally known.
Boxberger is no Chapman. He was average last season and it’s no guarantee Colome gives up the job. He’s definitely only looming.
Peraonally, I agree McGee should be yellow. Not pitching well, velocity down. Motte back soon.
Because Rodney has a xFIP of 4.22 and had an ERA of 4.74 last year and 8 innings isn’t enough to make anyone feel super comfortable.
McGee has been very questionable. ERA/FIP/xFIP of 7.04/5.53/6.24, that situation should be yellow at the least.
I don’t think that category is supposed to be ‘looming’ necessarily, just DL/Minors. I’d say it’s 50/50 that Boxberger gets the job back the way Colome is pitching.
The read on Cincinnati seems quite awful. Cotham has been pitching 6th inning, and not well. Cingrani is the only lefty and walks everyone. Based on usage, I think the next save chance (we’ve been waiting about 2 weeks) goes to Ohlendorf. He’s had a couple “top 9 in away game” outings that strongly suggest he’s the closer now. Not sure how he doesn’t even make the chart.
I have a feeling you’e right, but the evidence is so scant, and the candidate so unlikely, I would also hesitate to put him on the grid.
But there’s some evidence. I see zero evidence that it’s Cotham, Cingrani, or Wood.
Fully agree on Ohlendorf– looks like they’ve been trying to save him for a save opp. But there have been none.
Pretty hard to pitch the top of the 9th in an away game.
I have some inkling Buck Farmer may pull off a Wade Davis and end up as the Tigers closer by the season’s end.
Given his usage as of late, I don’t think Doolittle’s first up anymore.
Frazier’s HR off O’Day was a two-run homer
Is it time to make Ziegler yellow? Very hittable this year, quality alternatives available.
Bullpen Report is a great aggregator and I very much appreciate it.
This comment section helps me win leagues. Keep up the good work readers and commenters of Fangraphs!
Agree, the Bullpen Report itself has a lot of great information, but so many commenters are really up to date on bullpens too and small details I often miss. Both things are very helpful.
Okay, kids. Is Hector Neris for real? He has crazy numbers.
Is Lowe ahead of Wilson in Det?