Bullpen Report: July 1, 2018

The Twins bullpen had an afternoon to forget to close out June. Addison Reed entered the game in the fifth inning with the Twins holding a three-run advantage and was unable to complete the frame. He got Javier Baez to strike out to begin the inning, but would allow four-of-the-next-five hitters to get a hit – yielding two runs in the process. Zach Duke came in with runners on first-and-third and two outs but was equally ineffective. He gave up three-straight singles, letting both of Reed’s inherited runners to score and one of his own.

Duke would allow another hit in the sixth inning, but was able to get out of the frame unscathed. Trevor Hildenberger entered the seventh inning having not allowed a run in 16-straight appearances. Unfortunately, that streak came to an end as he walked four hitters (two intentionally) and gave up four hits in route to five earned runs allowed in a third of an inning. He came into the outing with a 0.00 ERA and 0.65 WHIP in June (both top-10 among qualified relievers) with a 26% K. He’s still the top choice behind Fernando Rodney in this bullpen despite the blip on the radar.

Addison Reed had made it four-straight appearances without allowing a run after a stretch before hand in which he gave up 5 ER over 4.2 IP (five appearances). He’s only logged four strikeouts in the month of June, and posted a terrible HR/9 (2.1), Hard-hit% (49), and xFIP (6.58). Duke has now allowed a run in two-of-his-last four games, but will remain in high-leverage roles as the main LHP option late in games. On the other side of this game, Justin Wilson earned his second win of the season after notching only his second clean appearance in his last six. Pedro Strop also worked 1.2 IP, striking out two and not allowing a baserunner. It was his third consecutive clean appearance since getting blown up by the Reds a week ago.

The Athletics bullpen has been great this last month, compiling a 3.14 cumulative ERA, ranking 9th in the MLB. A big part of that has been Blake Treinen, who’s posted a 0.68 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, and a 16/4 K:BB ratio over 13.1 IP. Treinen was unavailable on Saturday night as he had already pitched in each of the two days prior. In his place, Lou Trivino was called upon for yet another save chance against the Indians, and converted for his second save since Wednesday and third of the month.

He’s only been scored upon once in-his-last 10 appearances and has accrued a 1.56 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 29% K, and 15.6% SwStr for the year. Santiago Casilla was originally called upon to protect a five-run lead in the ninth, but loaded the bases with one out, forcing the Athletics to summon Trivino. It only took Trivino three pitches to get a game-ending double-play. Casilla likely received the call due to not pitching since last Saturday and has allowed 1 ER in 5.1 IP in June with 6 K and 3 BB.

Wade Davis pitched in back-to-back games heading into Saturday’s tilt against the Dodgers, resulting in Adam Ottavino getting the call in the ninth to protect a two-run lead. He would go on to throw 10-of-15 pitches for strikes, allowing one hit, to go along with one strikeout on his way to his second save of the year. Ottavino has had a tremendous season overall (1.42 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 59/16 K:BB ratio over 38 IP), but had yielded runs in two-of-his-last-three appearances heading into Saturday (13-straight scoreless prior). He might not be as effective the rest of the season, but he needs to be owned in most formats based on Wade Davis’s recent struggles.

Speaking of Davis, his June line will finish with a 9.31 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, and an 11/7 K:BB ratio over 10 IP with five saves. His SwStr (9%), BB/9 (6.5), F-Strike% (37), HR/9 (1.9), and xFIP (5.33) all took a tumble. He’s allowed a run in four-of-his-last-eight appearances – making him an extremely “shaky” commodity at the moment. In Dodgers news, it may not be relevant right now, but Daniel Hudson hurled another two innings of clean ball, generating three strikeouts. Since the calendar turned to June he’s compiled a 0.60 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and an 18/6 K:BB ratio over 15 IP.

Quick Hits:
Sueng-Hwan Oh logged his fourth win of the season against the Tigers on Saturday, hurling a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and striking out one. He’s allowed 1 ER over his last 10 appearances to go along with a 17/1 K:BB ratio.

Joe Jimenez allowed a game-winning home run to Justin Smoak in the ninth inning on Saturday to take his first loss of the season. After logging nine-straight scoreless appearances, Jimenez has now allowed runs in two-of-his-last-three games overall. Regardless, he remains the handcuff behind Shane Greene.

Brad Brach and Zach Britton both logged scoreless outings during Saturday’s loss to the Angels, with Britton tallying yet another walk. He now has 7 BB in 8.2 IP (9 appearances), with a career-low 51% F-Strike and diminished velocity.

Jose Alvarado, Chaz Roe, and Sergio Romo all combined for 3.1 IP of hitless ball with 3 K and 0 BB in Saturday’s win over the Astros. Romo tallied his seventh save of the season and has only been scored upon once in-his-last ten appearances.

Ken Giles logged a scoreless appearance in a non-save situation – his seventh such outing in his last eight appearances.

Arodys Vizcaino is expected to return from the 10-day disabled list on Monday against the Yankees.

Kyle Barraclough converted his eighth-straight save of the season against the Mets on Saturday – striking out two and not allowing a hit.

Seranthony Dominguez allowed a hit, but successfully converted his seventh save of the season against the Nationals. He’s now 7-for-8 in save opportunities with a 1.98 ERA and 0.66 WHIP.

Ryan Madson and Kelvin Herrera both logged scoreless appearances against the Phillies. Madson has now posted scoreless outings in three-of-the-last-four, with Herrera logging two-straight.

Chris Martin, Joshua LeClerc, and Jake Diekman all hurled scoreless appearances against the White Sox, combining for 2 IP, 2 H, 3 K, and 1 BB.

Edwin Diaz converted his 31st save of the season against the Royals on Saturday. It was a clean inning and he only needed 11 pitches to close the deal. He now has seven more saves than anyone in baseball.

Brad Hand secured his 23rd save of the season against the Pirates on Saturday, but it came with some trouble. He allowed three extra-base hits to start the inning, eventually leading to two runs scored. He would generate two fly-outs before ending the game with a strikeout to shut things down. Hand has now allowed runs in four-of-his-last-six, and ends June with a 6.00 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He’ll keep his role, as the Padres could use him as a trade chip, however, Kirby Yates has been spectacular in June. Over 12 games he’s allowed 0 ER with a 15/3 K:BB ratio over 14 IP. He’s worth picking up, especially in deeper leagues at this point in the year