Bullpen Report: August 17, 2020
The 2020 version of Bullpen Report includes six different sections, as well as the closer chart, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
- Notable Workloads: Primary closers or valuable members of a closer committee who have been deemed unavailable or likely unavailable for the current day due to recent workload.
- Injury News
- Outlier Saves: Explanation for a non-closer earning a save during the previous day.
- Committee Clarity: Notes on a closer committee that clarify a pitcher’s standing in the group.
- Losing A Grip: Struggling closers who could be on the hot seat.
- Reliever On The Rise: Non-closer who is quickly moving up the depth chart based on potential and recent performance.
The “RosterResource” link will take you to the corresponding team’s RosterResource depth chart, which will give you a better picture of the full bullpen and results of the previous six days (pitch count, save, hold, win, loss, blown save.)
Notable Workloads
•Archie Bradley, ARI: Back-to-back days; 19 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource
Bradley had a much easier time of things on Sunday (IP, 0 R, BB, 19 pitches) after allowing three earned runs in 1.1 innings to barely hold on for his fifth save on Saturday (22 pitches). If he’s not available on Monday, Andrew Chafin and Stefan Crichton are candidates for a save chance.
•Ryan Pressly, HOU: Back-to-back days; 10 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource
After two easy outings for a total of 18 pitches over the weekend, it will be tempting for the Astros to use Pressly again if needed on Monday. But considering that they don’t have a day off until August 31, maybe they’d give him a break with Blake Taylor or Josh James getting a save chance on Monday.
Injury News
•Anthony Bass, TOR | RosterResource
Bass was unavailable on Sunday due to back tightness. Manager Charlie Montoyo had previously indicated that Jordan Romano is in the mix for save chances, so this could further swing things in his direction. The 27-year-old had not allowed a run in nine innings before giving up a tie-breaking solo home run to Brandon Lowe on Sunday.
Anthony Bass has all 3 #BlueJays saves since Ken Giles hit the IL, but sounds like Jordan Romano will start getting some save opps, too
Romano (13 Ks in 9 IP, 96.6 mph FB) could be used when Jays need swing & miss. Bass still in the mix, too. Charlie Montoyo: "They're both good"
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) August 15, 2020
Outlier Saves
•Aaron Slegers, TBR | RosterResource
Five relievers were used in the completion of yesterday’s suspended game — Nick Anderson got the save — and four others were used in the seven-inning game that followed. Aaron Loup pitched in both and Anthony Banda was likely unavailable after throwing 58 pitches on Thursday. The last man standing after the Rays took a 7-5 lead in extra innings was likely Slegers, who retired all three batters he faced to pick up his second career save. He was optioned to the alternate site after the game.
Committee Clarity
•Taylor Rogers and Sergio Romo, MIN | RosterResource
With two innings to go and a two-run lead, the Twins were certain to use Rogers and Romo. It was just a question of who pitched which inning, although it rarely matters with this duo. Two lefties, Alex Gordon and Meibrys Viloria, were scheduled to come up for the Royals in the eighth, while right-handed batters Whit Merrifield, Jorge Soler, and Hunter Dozier would follow. Rogers got the eighth, allowing only a single to pinch-hitter Ryan McBroom. Romo struck out the side in the ninth for his third save.
Losing A Grip
•Craig Kimbrel, CHC | RosterResource
Things keep getting better for Kimbrel, who followed a near perfect outing on Friday (IP, 0 R, 0 H, BB, 2 K) with a 1-2-3 inning on Sunday (2 K). I wouldn’t pencil him back into the closer’s role just yet. The Cubs play the Cardinals five times in three games from Monday through Wednesday, meaning that it will be all hands on deck to close out any wins.
If Kimbrel can escape that series unscathed, there’s a good chance he’s the closer again by next weekend’s series against the White Sox.
•Jairo Diaz, COL | RosterResource
Pitching the ninth inning with his team ahead 10-4, Diaz made things interesting by walking a pair of runs home before Carlos Estevez came in to get the final out for his first save. Manager Bud Black confirmed that the team will now use a closer committee, although Estevez’s status is now uncertain after he injured his hand on that final play.
Se llevan la del honor. 👍
Final: #LosRockies 10, Rangers 6
🔢 https://t.co/2jllIfvMgf pic.twitter.com/V9CPV3arm3— Rockies de Colorado (@LosRockies) August 16, 2020
If the injury does not force him to miss time, Estevez will be at the top of the committee with Daniel Bard and possibly Yency Almonte also in the mix.
Reliever On The Rise
•None
Guess Diego Castillo will never get another save opportunity for the Rays. Really thrilled that I traded for him.
Never underestimate the unpredictability of the Rays’ closer situation. With that said, you probably shouldn’t have traded for any of their relievers with the hope that any would rack up a bunch of saves.
To clarify, was hoping for holds and possibly some saves out of a SP slot. He has neither yet (only used once with a lead of less than four runs, and that was in the third inning).
Crazy that only Anderson has more than one hold. Castillo should’ve been a great pick up for saves, holds, Ks combined. 17 holds and 8 saves in ’19. Still time to get value out of him. No reason for the Rays not to use him in high-leverage situations.
So how many pitchers in MLB history besides Loup have gotten two wins on the same day?
OK, quite a few, apparently (including relievers). Never mind.
Any thoughts on the possibility Robles gets the closer role back in LAA? A few clean outings in a row and Buttrey has been nothing special.
Yep, I can see that. He doesn’t have much of a track record so it’s not being watched as closely as Kimbrel and Diaz trying to figure things out. But the lack of anyone else taking hold of the job gives him a good shot to be back in the mix soon.
Devin Williams of the Brewers looks like the real deal. Filthy change up and plenty of velocity on his heater. My sample size is small (admittedly) be he’s got “stuff”
I had him as a “Reliever on the Rise” a week ago … https://fantasy.fangraphs.com/bullpen-report-august-12-2020/
… and apparently didn’t jinx him. Still going strong (2.1 IP, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 2 holds) in last two outings. Seems like the real deal.
I think you have it wrong in STL. If you look at how the pitchers were warming up in the first game of the doubleheader Gallegos came out for the 6th, and Gant 7th (double header). It was a 4 run game, and first game back from pandemic. My guess is they are going to be using Gant as the closer at least initially. The first game back to me would be the most telling the pecking order, at least imo.
Gallegos was brought in in the 6th to face 2-3-4 which was probably part of it as well. Cut off that rally before it even starts. I think we are going to see more and more of that across the majors.
The Rays are already doing that – Anderson will probably lead the team in saves (Good Lord, they have 5 guys with saves already) but 2/3 of his appearances thus far have come before the 9th inning and I would not be at all surprised if that held up all year. Also, none of his appearances have come with the Rays behind and he came in with runners on in 6 of his 9 appearances.
Same thing in Minny where Rogers came in in the 8th yesterday to face the 2 lefties, then a certain pinch-hitter and then the top of the lineup if anyone got on.
Cardinals could well be doing the same thing. Total pain for us fantasy players but absolutely the smart move in the actual games.
No disagreement here. I do like all the Cardinals arms, even Gant who isn’t the best of them is fine. Speaking of fantasy he somehow had 11 wins last year, what in the world.
And regarding fantasy, I actually like when teams do that, since I feel like I watch more baseball than most and am able to ascertain what guy might be used in what spot, rather than just closer. Makes it more fun for me at least.
And now he is in the 4th. Wins it is!
Welp, 1st 2 save chances go to Andrew Miller so maybe he’s the guy. . . .