Bullpen Report: October 1, 2021

NEW FEATURE ALERT! We have added an upgraded version of RosterResource’s Closer Depth Chart to FanGraphs. Read more about it here.

We will always include a link to the full Closer Depth Chart at the bottom of the Bullpen Report each day. It’s also accessible from the RosterResource drop-down menu and from any RosterResource page. Please let us know what you think.

1. 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.
2. Injury News
3. Outlier Saves: Explanation for a non-closer earning a save during the previous day.
4. Committee Clarity: Notes on a closer committee that clarify a pitcher’s standing in the group.
5. Losing A Grip: Struggling closers who could be on the hot seat.

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

•Emmanuel Clase, CLE: 25 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Nick Wittgren and Bryan Shaw are the two top choices to step in for Clase on Friday.

•Emmanuel Clase, CLE: 25 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Nick Wittgren and Bryan Shaw are the two top choices to step in for Clase on Friday.

•Ryan Pressly, HOU: 17 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Now that the Astros have clinched the AL West title, there’s no reason for them to push it with Pressly, who was unavailable Tuesday (and perhaps Wednesday, though the Astros lost 7-0 so that’s not clear) with a knee issue. Ryne Stanek or Kendall Graveman could close on Friday.

•Will Smith, ATL: Four of the last six days; 8 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Smith’s worked awfully hard lately, and like the Astros, the Braves clinched their division on Thursday. Luke Jackson and Tyler Matzek have pitched a lot lately as well, which could leave Richard Rodríguez, A.J. Minter or or Chris Martin closing Friday.

•Tyler Rogers, SFG: 26 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Camilo Doval is the best bet for a save on Friday.

Injury News

•None

Outlier Saves

•Luis García, STL | RosterResource

The Cardinals are now locked in to the second wild card spot, so there’s no point for them to push Giovanny Gallegos, who’s had an incredibly heavy workload this year (72 appearances, 79.1 innings). Alex Reyes evidently wasn’t available either, so the Cardinals went with Kodi Whitley, T.J. McFarland and García to earn the last eight outs of Thursday’s game. García struck out both batters he faced on Thursday for his second save of the season. Gallegos should be back in action on Friday, but he could be rested again and pitch just once more before the playoffs, if that.

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing A Grip

•None

Click HERE for the full Closer Depth Chart.