Bullpen Report: April 30, 2019

It seems the more we think to know about the Red Sox bullpen, perhaps the less we do? Matt Barnes opened the season as the highest leverage reliever, capable of appearing at any point when needed by manager Alex Cora. Last night, this happened, but with Ryan Brasier entering the game in the top of the seventh with runners on second and third base with two outs, taking on the A’s most dangerous hitter, Khris Davis. Brasier retired Davis with a strikeout, then threw a clean eighth getting the win in relief for his efforts. After Boston extended its lead, Hector Velasquez opened the ninth but only recorded one out while loading the bases on a hit and two walks. This pressed Barnes into duty and he responded with his second save.

Long story short, both Brasier and Barnes maintain fantasy relevance due to saves accrued this season. However, predicting who enters the game and in what situation remains fluid, to the frustration to their fantasy owners. Plan accordingly.

Another pliable bullpen exists in Tampa Bay. On Monday night, Diego Castillo allowed a hit with two strikeouts in the bottom of the eighth inning for his seventh hold. This aligned Jose Alvarado, who warmed up, for the save chance. However, with another Wily Peralta meltdown leading to two runs in the top of the ninth, Alvarado did not need to start the ninth with the Rays up by four runs. So, he sat down with Chaz Roe taking the mound instead working in a non-save outing. Roe did give up a run on a hit and a walk, but recorded three strikeouts preserving the win. It’s frustrating for Alvarado owners, but they take solace in knowing he would have entered if needed for the save.

As for Peralta, he converted all 14 save chances in 2018 for Kansas City, but he’s only one-for-four so far this year. His 1.69 WHIP can do more damage than a save can benefit a fantasy owner, so keep this in mind when chasing them. Of course, with no one standing out in the bullpen, other than Ian Kennedy of late, mine for saves in a time share like the Red Sox above or perhaps Atlanta.

Segue alert, with the knowledge of both A.J. Minter and Luke Jackson unavailable on Monday, rookie Jacob Webb notched his first major league save. Webb retired both batters faced, one via strikeout, and in consecutive appearances, owns a win and a save. Not too shabby. Across two levels in the minors last year, Webb saved 18 games and intrigues his manager. Overlooking Jackson’s 13 scoreless inning streak could be a mistake, but, if an owner missed out on him this weekend, keep tabs on Webb who accrued 210 strikeouts over 170.1 career innings in the minors. Minter and Jackson should share the save chances going forward with Webb the dark horse to emerge for the Braves.

Working for the third straight game, Edwin Diaz allowed the go ahead home run to Jesse Winker leading to a Mets loss. Although the Mets front office backed off their usage stance on the talented closer, he’s carrying a heavy workload at the onset of the season. Appearing in 13 of the Mets 28 games, Diaz owns a 1.54 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 20 strikeouts over his first 11.2 innings. However, as his outings accrue, it could have a residual effect on his performance.

Benefiting from the Winker home run, Raisel Iglesias gets his first win in relief yielding a hit and a walk with four strikeouts during two innings. Over his last two outings, Igleisas has worked at least 1.2 innings in each. But, he’s in the midst of a six game scoreless streak with 15 strikeouts against one walk in 7.2 innings. Both Diaz and Iglesias could be unavailable on Tuesday night.

Quick Hits: Save number nine for Jordan Hicks. He fired a clean ninth with a strikeout and looked filthy with the movement on his sinker…Blake Parker allowed a lead-off single to Carlos Correa, but erased him with a double play and then induced a grounder by Josh Reddick en route to his sixth save. Taylor Rogers gets his sixth hold and hit 96 MPH on the radar with two strikeouts in the eighth. The Twins bullpen, along with the bats, seem poised to challenge Cleveland this year…Passed over in many drafts, Alex Colome notched his sixth save with a clean ninth striking out two for the White Sox. Kelvin Herrera gets his fifth hold, but, coughed up three hits and an earned run in the eighth…Tough debut in the bullpen for Ross Stripling. In one-third of an inning, he allowed two hits, a walk and three earned runs leading to a Dodgers loss…Will Smith recorded his seventh save, after a rough outing on Sunday versus the Yankees, working around a hit with two strikeouts. Reyes Moronta pitched the eighth walking two with a strikeout in a scoreless outing for his sixth hold…As with the Royals, tread lightly in the Orioles bullpen mining for a save. Through 125.2 innings this season, Baltimore’s relievers owns a 5.27 xFIP, a 1.65 WHIP, served up 95 runs and 34 home runs. It’s not even May…