Bullpen Report: July 22, 2018

The Athletics and Mets made their deal for Jeurys Familia official on Saturday, sending the former Mets closer to the Athletics for a pair of minor leaguers. Gregory Jewett covered Familia’s results recently, and what his role should be moving forward in yesterday’s report, but he should slot right behind Blake Treinen in the back-end of the Athletics bullpen. I’ve updated the sheet to reflect this, as well as slot Robert Gsellman in as the Mets closer.


Speaking of Familia and the Athletics, he may be needed today if a save chance arises. Blake Treinen threw 40 pitches over 2 IP yesterday against the Giants as he suffered his fourth blown save of the season. It was actually an unfortunate turn of events. While he was able to get two groundouts in four pitches to start the ninth inning, Alen Hanson came to the plate and struck out on a slider in the dirt to seemingly end the game. The ball got away from Josh Phegley and resulted in Hanson reaching base to bring up Hunter Pence. Pence laced a double to right field – a call that was challenged on the field – the very next pitch, scoring Hanson to tie the game. After another 11 pitches and a walk he was able to get out of the inning. The 10th inning took 19 pitches to complete, but he was able to escape the frame with only a walk while striking out two. As stated before, Familia could be called upon if a save chance presents itself, but he’ll likely get an inning of work with his new club regardless. Keep him rostered even in shallow formats in the scenario that things don’t work out how most think it will.

Aroldis Chapman had an afternoon to forget in Game 2 of the Subway Series on Saturday. Coming in with a four-run lead in the ninth inning, Chapman proceeded to throw only three pitches for strikes out of 19. That resulted in three walks, a hit batsman, and a single – leading to 3 ER being added to his bottom line. Betances and Robertson already worked 1.2 scoreless innings, leaving the burden to Chasen Shreve. Shreve managed to get two groundball outs – including a double-play – to secure the Yankee victory. Chapman’s velocity was slightly down, as he was sitting 96-97 mph with his fastball compared to the 99-100 mph he’s averaged this season. His location – if not described well enough by his strike/ball ratio – was more than erratic:


Chapman and Yankees skipper Aaron Boone both seemed unconcerned with the outing after the game – with Boone simply saying they’ll continue to monitor the southpaw. He’s been pitching through knee tendinitis the past couple of months and hadn’t pitched in a game since last Saturday, so there’s no reason to get too concerned about Chapman quite yet. Prior to yesterday’s blow-up, Chapman had went five-straight appearances without allowing a run, and owned a 1.35 ERA and 0.83 WHIP. Fantasy owners should stand pat and look at this as a blip on the radar.

A couple of relievers that were under the weather on Friday came back to convert saves on Saturday. Kyle Barraclough converted his 10th save despite allowing a home run to Ji-Man Choi in the ninth inning. He struck out two. Possible future save candidates – depending on what trades occur – Drew Steckenrider and Adam Conley both tossed scoreless innings of their own in front of Barraclough. It was only the second time in the last five tries that Steckenrider came out of an outing without allowing a run. Wade Davis was the other reliever that was able to come out and secure his save opportunity after sitting out the day before. Davis gave up a walk and a hit, but was also able to strike out two in route to his 28th save. He has a 0.90 ERA and 0.60 WHIP with a 12/2 K:BB ratio over his last 10 appearances, going 7-for-7 in save chances during that time. Adam Ottavino took the place of Davis the day prior, and spun a scoreless inning in front of him for the seventh-straight time.

After Tyler Clippard imploded once again on Friday, the Blue Jays decided to go a different route when another save chance was presented to them on Saturday – turning to none other than Ryan Tepera to try and get it done. The recently activated right hander only needed 12 pitches to secure his seventh save of the season – striking out two and not allowing a baserunner. Seung-Hwan Oh also twirled a scoreless frame in front of him, his seventh-straight. Tepera has now logged three scoreless appearances since returning from the disabled list, striking out four and walking one in 2.1 IP. He looks like the best bet for save chances moving forward. With that said, Roberto Osuna is quickly approaching his activation date, and the Blue Jays have continually went back to Clippard at various points. I’m putting Tepera in the closer role for now, but this situation isn’t set in stone by any means.

Quick Hits: Zach Britton tossed another scoreless inning in a non-save situation on Saturday, but more importantly, a report from ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick suggested that the Orioles are hoping to deal the southpaw by early next week.

Greg Holland allowed two walks, a hit, and three runs (one earned) in a third of an inning on Saturday. He remains yellow on the table.

Jordan Hicks logged his first scoreless appearance in his last five tries as he went 1.2 IP with a walk and a hit allowed, striking out one.

Bud Norris secured his 18th save – first since July 7th – in a scoreless frame against the Cubs on Saturday. He allowed a hit without a strike out.

Pedro Strop allowed a run and four baserunners in his 1.1 IP against the Cardinals. It wasn’t a legit save chance but he’s now allowed a run in two of-his-last-three.

Steve Cishek earned his 13th hold with a scoreless 0.2 IP in Game 1, but allowed a three baserunners and a run in his third of an inning of work in Game 2 against the Cardinals. It’s still a hot hand situation for saves in Chicago. Carl Edwards would likely see the save chance should one arise today.

Shane Greene notched two strikeouts while allowing a hit in a scoreless, non-save appearance against the Red Sox on Saturday.

Sergio Romo and Jose Alvarado both worked scoreless frames in a non-save situation against the Marlins. Rmo allowed a hit and both generated a strikeout.

Corbin Burnes held the Dodgers off the scoreboard over two innings on Saturday, resulting in 6 IP, 2 H, 8 K, and 2 BB to date. This included a dramatic escape from a bases-loaded jam with no outs.

Josh Hader recorded four strikeouts in two scoreless innings, and Corey Knebel shut the door on his 12th save in the same game.

Edgar Santana, Kyle Crick, and Felipe Vazquez combined for 2.2 IP of two-hit ball with 5 K and 0 BB in a non-save situation against the Reds on Saturday.

Raisel Iglesias and Amir Garrett logged their fifth and third-straight scoreless appearances against the Pirates. Jared Hughes allowed a run for the second time in his last five tries, but he still has a 9/3 K:BB ratio over 8.1 IP this month.

Wily Peralta rebounded from a horrendous outing on Friday to notch his third save against the Twins.

Will Smith took his second loss of the season after allowing three hits and a run against the Athletics on Saturday. It’s the second appearance in-a-row in which he’s allowed a run (7 H in that time).

Yoshihisa Hirano allowed a run in his 1.2 IP against the Rockies. He’s now allowed 6 H and 5 ER over his last three appearances (3 IP).

Brad Boxberger logged a scoreless frame in a non-save situation.

Not Very Stable
Hot Seat
Committee
Bullpen Report — 7/22/2018
Team Closer First Up Second Up Minors/DL
ARI Brad Boxberger Archie Bradley Yoshihisa Hirano
ATL A.J. Minter Dan Winkler Jesse Biddle Arodys Vizcaino
BAL Zach Britton Mychal Givens Brad Brach Darren O’Day
BOS Craig Kimbrel Matt Barnes Joe Kelly
CHC Pedro Strop Carl Edwards Jr. Steve Cishek Brandon Morrow
CWS Joakim Soria Jeanmar Gomez Juan Minaya Nate Jones
CIN Raisel Iglesias Jared Hughes Amir Garrett
CLE Cody Allen Brad Hand Adam Cimber Andrew Miller
COL Wade Davis Adam Ottavino Scott Oberg
DET Shane Greene Joe Jimenez Alex Wilson
HOU Hector Rondon Chris Devenski Collin McHugh
KC Wily Peralta Kevin McCarthy Brandon Maurer
LAA Blake Parker Justin Anderson Hansel Robles Keynan Middleton
LAD Kenley Jansen Dylan Floro Scott Alexander Josh Fields
MIA Kyle Barraclough Drew Steckenrider Brad Ziegler Tayron Guerrero
MIL Corey Knebel Josh Hader Jeremy Jeffress
MIN Fernando Rodney Trevor Hildenberger Zach Duke Addison Reed
NYM Robert Gsellman Anthony Swarzak Seth Lugo
NYY Aroldis Chapman Dellin Betances David Robertson
OAK Blake Treinen Jeurys Familia Lou Trivino
PHI Seranthony Dominguez Victor Arano Pat Neshek
PIT Felipe Vazquez Kyle Crick Edgar Santana
STL Bud Norris Jordan Hicks Greg Holland
SD Kirby Yates Craig Stammen Phil Maton
SF Will Smith Tony Watson Mark Melancon Hunter Strickland
SEA Edwin Diaz Alex Colome James Pazos
TB Sergio Romo Jose Alvarado Diego Castillo Chaz Roe
TEX Keone Kela Jake Diekman Jose LeClerc Chris Martin
TOR Ryan Tepera Seung Hwan Oh Tyler Clippard Roberto Osuna
WSH Kelvin Herrera Ryan Madson Brandon Kintzler Sean Doolittle





Fantasy Baseball and Tampa Bay Rays enthusiast. Restaurant manager by day, fantasy analyst by night. Contributor to Rotographs, Baseball HQ, Fantasy Pros, and co-owner of Friends with Fantasy Benefits. Follow me @MikeWernerFWFB.

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EonADS
5 years ago

Nothing about Cody Allen getting randomly used in the sixth inning with a gigantic lead? I wanted to hear what people thought was up with that.

Anon
5 years ago
Reply to  EonADS

Don’t know why someone downvoted that, perfectly legitimate question. First time this year he’s appeared before the 8th and he’s obviously struggled overall. I think he’s out. My question would be what happens when Miler comes back? IN an effort to conserve him with his knee issues, do they turn him into a conventional one-inning closer rather than a multi-inning middle reliever?

p00gs
5 years ago
Reply to  EonADS

there was nothing about diego castillo getting lit up a few days ago too. I LOVE this installment and I get they cant get to every bullpen situation, but… cant they get to every bullpen situation?