Bullpen Report: May 21, 2019

Just when it seemed safe to trust Mychal Givens, the implosion occurs. Givens entered last night’s appearance riding a six game scoreless streak with 11 strikeouts against four walks over nine innings with four saves. After giving up a home run to Gleyber Torres, who obliterates Orioles pitching, Givens returned for the ninth hoping to record a 1.1 inning save. Back to back singles by Brett Gardner and Cameron started the top of the ninth with immediate traffic, less than optimal. Givens induced a fielder’s choice ground out by D.J. LeMahieu, but the runners advanced leading to a sacrifice fly by Aaron Hicks. So, two outs and two runners on set the stage for a Luke Voit walk then a three-run go ahead home run by Gary Sanchez.

All told, Givens yielded four hits, five earned runs and a walk in this outing which represents 45 percent of the runs he’s given up all season. It’s an ugly outing for sure, but, given the state of the Baltimore bullpen, he’s still atop the hierarchy. Help could be emerging with Shawn Armstrong pitching well since joining the staff. Armstrong retired all four hitters he faced last night with two strikeouts. As an Oriole, Armstrong’s pitched 8.1 innings (1.08 ERA) allowing three hits, one earned run and three walks with 10 strikeouts.

Benefiting from the Orioles meltdown, Aroldis Chapman notched his 12th save walking one and striking out three. He’s converted nine straight save chances and surging in May with a robust 14:1 K:BB in 7.1 innings, 1.23 ERA and 0.68 WHIP. Zack Britton won his second game navigating around a hit and a walk for a scoreless eighth inning. Like Chapman, Britton’s pitching well in May with five holds and 10 strikeouts against two walks in 9.1 innings.

Although it will cause a ripple effect on daily waiver wires, sorting out how the Braves bullpen evolves will require patience. Sean Newcomb locked down his first save with a clean ninth striking out one in San Francisco. He did face two left-handed hitters making this appearance an optimal one to cut his teeth in his first save chance. Given teams prefer the ability to match-up in high leverage, Newcomb could work himself into a time share of saves with Luke Jackson going forward. Since transitioning to relief, Newcomb’s yet to cede a run in 8.1 innings this month giving up seven hits, zero walks and striking out eighth. More impressive, the .185 weighted on-base average against yielded by Newcomb as a reliever with a 24.2 strikeout percentage. Do not overlook Jackson’s six saves in eight chances over his last nine appearances with 15 strikeouts versus two walks in 10 innings.

In Texas, a bullpen without much clarity, Chris Martin allowed three runs on three hits but preserved a win for the Rangers. His inning full of traffic ended with a Daniel Vogelbach home run and a Tim Beckham ground out. Martin’s given up runs in three straight outings and recorded his only save on May eighth. It appears Shawn Kelley will be activated prior to this evening’s game after having lumps removed from his vocal cords according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Kelley saved two games prior to landing on the injury list, so he could emerge again in high leverage. However, Jose LeClerc seems to be turning the corner as well. LeClerc’s struck out 10 over his last 4.1 innings in three outings with a 22.2 swinging strike percentage and 76.9 strikeout percent. Welcome to another muddled bullpen. Kelley could be eased into high leverage as LeClerc seems poised to regain closer duties. Stay tuned.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Astros bullpen continues to thrive. Roberto Osuna allowed a hit with a strikeout for his 12th save in a row this year. He owns a 19:2 K:BB through 21.1 innings with a matching 0.42 ERA and WHIP. Osuna tied a team record with his 24th straight save, tying Brad Lidge‘s mark from 2005, and if going back to Osuna’s time with Toronto, he’s locked down 27 straight saves overall. Playing Robin to Osuna’s Batman, Ryan Pressly notched his 10th hold with a scoreless eighth striking out one. Pressly’s made 40 straight scoreless appearances dating back to last year spanning 39 innings. He’s now tied for second with Brad Ziegler (2008) for scoreless innings as a reliever and closing in on Gregg Olson’s record of 41 innings split between 1989 and 1990. And as a sweetener, Pressly’s yet to issue a walk this season with 22 strikeouts in 21 innings.

Knowing Steve Cishek would be unavailable after a 2.1 inning save on Sunday, Brad Brach received the save chance on Monday night. Brach allowed two hits, an earned run and a walk resulting in his first blown save and letting the Phillies tie the game in the top of the ninth. Kyle Ryan took over in the 10th and coughed up a home run to J.T. Realmuto leading to his first loss of the season. Hector Neris of the Phillies gets the win, his first, after firing a scoreless bottom of the ninth giving up a hit with a strikeout. Adam Morgan faced one hitter in the bottom of the 10th recording a strikeout and his 11th hold. Juan Nicasio gave up a hit but recorded the last two outs for his first save of the season. Once again, Seranthony Dominguez struggled allowing three runs (two earned) in a two inning outing walking two and striking out one for his second blown save.

After a Miguel Sano propelled the Twins to a lead, Blake Parker secured his eighth save giving up a hit in a scoreless ninth on the road. Taylor Rogers garners the win, and a blown save, working 1.2 innings yielding a hit and a walk with two strikeouts. Rogers did allow an inherited runner to score in the seventh leading to a tied game, hence the blown save designation. But, the Twins bullpen did the job on the road with the win.

Oakland converted a win on the road as well, but it’s relievers proved to be a bit shaky. Blake Treinen held on for his eighth save allowing a home run to Francisco Lindor during his 1.1 innings. Treinen’s converted two saves in the last three days but also allowed a run in two of his last three outings. His primary setup reliever, Lou Trivino, once again struggled with his command. Trivino also allowed a run on a hit and three walks in two-thirds of an inning. In May, Trivino’s walked 10 against six strikeouts in nine innings leading to five earned runs. Due to heavy usage patterns last year, perhaps a residual effect could be taking a toll on this bullpen, be sure to monitor health on each of these pitchers going forward.

Quick Hits: One day removed from a save, Brandon Workman pitched in the sixth inning with Boston leading by six. Workman did record two strikeouts in a clean outing. Ryan Brasier tossed a clean eighth inning while Matt Barnes received the day off in Toronto…Save number 11 for Edwin Diaz. He did give up a hit but remains perfect in save chances this year…Ty Buttrey served up the two run home run to Sano above leading to his second loss. Buttrey yielded three hits and two earned runs in only one-third of an inning. Cam Bedrosian relieved him striking out two and Hansel Robles worked a clean ninth with two strikeouts in the Angels loss…Stay hot Kirby Yates. Yates locked down his major league leading 18th save with a clean ninth striking out two. He’s 18-for-18 in save chances so far and racking up strikeouts with 20 over his last eight innings of work.

Not Very Stable
Hot Seat
Committee
Bullpen Report — 5/21/2019
Team Closer First Up Second Up Minors/DL
ARI Greg Holland Archie Bradley Yoan Lopez
ATL Luke Jackson Sean Newcomb Jacob Webb A.J. Minter
BAL Mychal Givens Shawn Armstrong Paul Fry Nathan Karns
BOS Matt Barnes Brandon Workman Ryan Brasier Brian Johnson
CHC Steve Cishek Brandon Kintzler Brad Brach Pedro Strop
CWS Alex Colome Kelvin Herrera Evan Marshall
CIN Raisel Iglesias David Hernandez Amir Garrett
CLE Brad Hand Nick Wittgren Adam Cimber
COL Wade Davis Scott Oberg Carlos Estevez
DET Shane Greene Joe Jimenez Victor Alcantara
HOU Roberto Osuna Ryan Pressly Hector Rondon
KC Ian Kennedy Jake Diekman Scott Barlow
LAA Hansel Robles Ty Buttrey Cam Bedrosian
LAD Kenley Jansen Pedro Baez Dylan Floro
MIA Sergio Romo Adam Conley Tayron Guerrero Drew Steckenrider
MIL Josh Hader Junior Guerra Jeremy Jeffress
MIN Blake Parker Taylor Rogers Trevor May Trevor Hildenberger
NYM Edwin Diaz Robert Gsellman Tyler Bashlor Seth Lugo
NYY Aroldis Chapman Adam Ottavino Zack Britton Dellin Betances
OAK Blake Treinen Joakim Soria Lou Trivino
PHI Hector Neris Pat Neshek Adam Morgan David Robertson
PIT Felipe Vazquez Kyle Crick Francisco Liriano Keone Kela
STL Jordan Hicks Andrew Miller John Gant
SD Kirby Yates Craig Stammen Trey Wingenter
SF Will Smith Tony Watson Reyes Moronta
SEA Roenis Elias Brandon Brennan Cory Gearrin Hunter Strickland
TB Jose Alvarado Diego Castillo Emilio Pagan
TEX Chris Martin Jose LeClerc Shawn Kelley
TOR Ken Giles Joe Biagini Tim Mayza
WSH Sean Doolittle Wander Suero Kyle Barraclough





Avid fantasy baseball player and writer. You can find my work here chasing the next save or as the lead fantasy analyst on Fantasy Alarm. Any questions, hit me up on the Twitter machine, @gjewett9

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jimbo
4 years ago

Swarzak traded to Braves