Bullpen Report: June 16, 2018

For the skills over role consensu, Kyle Barraclough continues to thrive as the closer for the Marlins in spite of starting the season as the primary setup reliever. Barraclough notched his fifth save firing a clean ninth inning with two strikeouts in his fourth outing over the last five days. He’s yielded no runs his last 16 games spanning 15.2 innings and only allowed one hit in these appearances. During the season, Barraclough’s not given up a hit in 25 of his 32 outings and been scoreless in 28 of them. Although he’s battled control issues in the past, Barraclough’s 1.15 ERA and 0.80 WHIP suggest he’s settling into the role quite well. Just plan on Miami giving him a day off on Saturday if possible to keep him healthy going forward.

It feels like one step forward and two steps back with Felipe Vazquez this season. He did record his 13th save allowing a hit but striking out two, including Joey Votto, to secure a win for the Pirates on Friday night. On the surface, Vazquez has blown four of his last eight save chances with an ERA of 4.55 yet a FIP of 2.87, so which number should fantasy owners focus on? Vazquez has cut down his hard hit percentage allowed by 5.6 points. However, he’s traded ground balls for line drives. His underlying discipline statistics do not display complete erosion of his skills as his swinging strike percentage approaches his 2016 numbers, but owners drafted Vazquez for the upside he displayed in the first half of last year. Over the last 14 days, Vazquez has worked 5.1 innings with nine strikeouts against five walks with a 3.38 ERA and 2.53 FIP. Almost a encapsulation of his season so far with hints of upside paired with the high amount of walks. Perhaps he can turn this around like Kenley Jansen did in April, but it’s not for the risk averse.

While many focus solely on chasing saves, there’s some interesting relievers providing ratio management of late. Justin Miller did give up his first earned run on Friday night, but owns a 0.77 ERA, four wins and an eye popping 57.9 strikeouts minus walk percentage during his first nine games with the Nationals. He’s retired 35 of the total 38 hitters he’s faced with 22 strikeouts. Dellin Betances has found his groove with 10 straight scoreless outings and surging in the last seven. Over his last 7.1 innings, Betances has 14 strikeouts against one walk and one hit. The last 14 days, Betances 54.2 strikeouts minus walk percentage and swinging strike percentage of 20 stand out. Under the radar, two Padres also merit some attention with both of them pitching on Friday night. Craig Stammen fired a clean inning with two strikeouts and in 16 games since May fifth has won four games with a 1.56 ERA, 20 strikeouts and only three walks allowed. Rookie Jose Castillo did walk a batter, but whiffed three in two innings in Atlanta. Castillo’s struck out 12 of the first 21 hitters he’s faced in the majors (57.1 strikeout percentage) during his first six innings yielding only one hit and one walk in six innings so far. Last, but not least, Jordan Hicks of the Cardinals continues to improve with 12 strikeouts his last six innings versus one walk and a 17.9 swinging strike percentage the last 14 days. Adding the slider to his arsenal along with his new release point has fueled his hot streak.

Chances remain few and far between for Ryan Tepera, but he’s been the best reliever for the Blue Jays with Roberto Osuna on administrative leave with a court appearance looming on Monday. Tepera notched his first save in a week, his fourth this year, allowing a hit with a strikeout. It’s his 33rd appearance this year and Toronto continues to push him with five of his last 10 outings requiring him to work more than one inning. Tepera’s responded with a 2.86 ERA so far and four saves since ascending to the closer role on May 25th.

Detroit’s Shane Greene recorded his third save in as many days pushing his total to 18 on the season. Greene struggles at time putting too much traffic on base during save chances but has struck out 38 in 34.1 innings of work. While many feel Greene could be a candidate for a potential trade, it remains to be seen with Tigers on the periphery of the Wild Card chase. Saves stashers should not ignore Joe Jimenez who did not pitch on Friday and could be in line for the save chance on Saturday with Greene’s workload noted above. Of his last 17 outings, Jimenez has turned in 16 scoreless with a 0.55 ERA and 23 strikeouts in them.

One out saves never go out of style. Both Brad Boxberger and Fernando Rodney benefited from them on Friday night. Boxberger’s recorded his 16th save retiring the only batter he faced and owns a 2.08 ERA in save chances this year in 18 opportunities. Owners will want to track his workload going forward as Boxberger approaches 30 innings to exceed last year’s total. It’s been since 2015 since Boxberger’s reached 60 innings in the majors so durability could be in question as the season progresses. Rodney continues to be the most effective pitcher in the Twins bullpen with his 15th save striking out the only batter he faced. He’s 12-for-12 in save chances since May first with a 1.72 ERA in 16 games.

Quick Hits: Both Zach Britton and Darren O’Day turned in scoreless outings in an Orioles loss. Britton whiffed two on 14 pitches and O’Day allowed a hit with a strikeout. Adam Ottavino returned to the struggling Rockies bullpen striking out two against a walk in the eighth inning on Friday night. Wade Davis pitched the ninth giving up only a walk in a non-save outing. Angels relievers Cam Bedrosian and Justin Anderson each allowed a run during a win in non-save appearances. Anthony Swarzak yielded two hits and an earned run with a strikeout pitching while the Mets trailed by four runs. Another save for almost everyday Edwin Diaz, his 26th to lead the majors. Diaz has struck out 59 of the 143 total batters he’s faced for a 41.3 strikeout percentage and has turned in seven straight scoreless appearances with eight strikeouts. Save number 16 for Kenley Jansen who fired a clean ninth with a strikeout. Since April 21st, Jansen’s pitched 25 innings with a 1.08 ERA, 14 saves, 25 strikeouts and walked five.