Bullpen Report: September 22, 2018

Although most of the focus within this column caters to the saves chasers, with just over a week remaining in the season, teams will need to protect ratios as well. Owners of Josh Hader realize this through the value he provides in strikeouts and his ERA which dropped below two last night along with his 0.74 WHIP in 77 innings this season. Hader’s been a heater but his consecutive strikeout streak ended on Friday when Colin Moran lifted a pop fly to left field caught by Christian Yelich. However, Hader recorded 16 straight outs via strikeout over five outings to set a major league record. He also set a record for all southpaw relievers for strikeouts in a season with 136 so far with a chance to add to this in Milwaukee’s last eight contests. In September, Hader’s registered a strikeout minus walk percentage of 60, produced a 24.2 swinging strike percentage and allowed only 54.4 contact through 10 innings with a ridiculous 23:2 K:BB with a 0.50 WHIP. A different southpaw remains on the waiver wire in many leagues due to his lack of saves production, but Taylor Rogers extended his scoreless streak to 23.1 innings in Oakland last night. Since July 30th, spanning 25 games, Rogers has faced 80 hitters giving up only nine hits and three walks with 27 strikeouts. Yes, saves matter, but so do southpaws like these two who can ratio erasers to preserve spots in the standings.

Owners of Aroldis Chapman viewed his return with cautious optimism. It faded quickly during his first outing against the Red Sox on Thursday evening. After seeing his outing, the team announced Chapman will be eased back into high leverage working in less meaningful innings until he’s ready to return to the ninth inning. This welcomes back a committee approach with Dellin Betances notching his fourth save of the season giving up a hit and striking out one against the Orioles. Betances has made 43 straight appearances recording at least a strikeout, good for third best in major league history, and this marks his first save since September eighth. Although Zach Britton seemed to pass him in the hierarchy, he worked in the seventh inning getting the Yankees out of a jam in spite of letting an inherited runner score. Britton’s not yielded an earned run over his last seven outings giving up only two hits and a walk his last 6.2 innings with four strikeouts. Look for him and Betances to share save chances as the Yankees chase home field advantage in the Wild Card chase.

With committees popping up everywhere, searching for saves the last week of the season will be difficult. Miami seems to prefer Adam Conley, he owns the last save for the team, recorded on Monday, and did pitch 1.1 innings last night spanning the ninth and one hitter in the 10th inning. He’s been scoreless in four of his last five contests with nine strikeouts in 6.1 innings. Drew Steckenrider pitched a clean eighth inning and has been scoreless his last three with two strikeouts. Kyle Barraclough won his first game of the season retiring the last two hitters in the 10th before Miami rallied in the bottom of the frame. Nate Jones made a non-save outing for the White Sox in the ninth inning allowing a hit in a scoreless inning. He’s pitched well off the disabled list, but has not pitched in back-to-back outings since and received at least three days off in between appearances. Jace Fry struggled Friday night serving up two hits before being lifted. Fry had been in the midst of a four game scoreless streak but has not recorded a save since August 29th due to usage. The White Sox bullpen roulette will continue going forward.

As the Braves barrel towards the playoffs, they will need to set their high leverage. It seemed like A.J. Minter would continue to hold the closer role despite the return of Arodys Vizcaino, but recent performance could open the door for fluidity. Minter did convert his 15th save on Friday night but allowed two hits and an earned run in the process. During this month, Minter’s secured all four save chances but given up runs in three of his seven outings resulting in a 4.91 ERA and 1.50 WHIP due to four walks in 7.1 innings. Not saying Vizcaino will overtake him as the primary closer, but he could receive a chance in the coming days to see how he responds in a save situation. Also, Chad Sobotka’s moving up in the high leverage ladder riding six scoreless outings in a row. He’s struck out 17 in 12.1 innings this year and just needs to cut down the walks to remain in high leverage along with making Atlanta’s postseason roster.

Carlos Martinez closed out his fourth save yielding a hit with two strikeouts against the Giants. It’s his first save since September 10th and he’s settling into the role. His workload could be monitored in order to remain healthy for the playoffs but he’s limited hitters to a .200/.302/.267 slash line in 45 at-bats against as a reliever. Keep tabs on John Brebbia. He benefited with the win last night after striking out the side in a clean eighth inning. Brebbia’s flashed before then disappointed, but has only allowed a walk his last three outings with eight strikeouts in them. This month, Brebbia’s worked 7.1 innings striking out 14 against two walks with a 1.23 ERA, 1.93 FIP and 0.82 WHIP. Jordan Hicks incurred his sixth blown save giving up two hits, two earned runs and two walks with a strikeout. He remains a saves option in spite of this since these are the first runs against him since the first week of September.

Quick Hits: Pitching for the first time in a week, Jeremy Jeffress fired a clean ninth inning and has been scoreless his last eight games converting his last six save opportunities.

While every save matters, Robert Gsellman continues to cede runs in his outings. Gsellman recorded his 12th save, and eighth in the second half, but allowed two hits leading to an earned run with a strikeout. In September, Gsellman owns a 5.63 ERA and 1.63 WHIP through eight innings. Less than optimal. Seth Lugo not only turned in a scoreless inning following a Jacob deGrom start, but he’s only allowed two runs his last 15.1 innings (1.18 ERA) dating back to August 24th.

No one can predict a three inning save chance, but Austin Pruitt did notch his second save this season in his first appearance since August third, allowing only three hits in three scoreless in Toronto.

Craig Kimbrel stayed hot notching his 42nd save with a clean ninth and striking out one. He’s only ceded two hits of his last 46 total batters faced giving up six walks with 20 strikeouts. Kimbrel’s been scoreless his last eight in a row and struck out 30 his last 17 appearances spanning 16 innings.

Royals closer Wily Peralta secured his 12th save in as many chances in typical high wire fashion working around a hit and a walk with two strikeouts. In save chances, Peralta owns a 0.73 ERA in 12.1 innings this season. However, in non-save appearances, his ERA rises to six through 18 innings. Heed his 1.96 WHIP and 8:7 K:BB in September if trying to protect ratio statistics.

Normally reliable Pat Neshek imploded letting in more than half of his earned run total on Friday night. Neshek only recorded one out allowing three hits, four earned runs and a walk in Atlanta. For what it’s worth, Hector Neris pitched the ninth inning walking one and striking out two. He’s recorded at least a strikeout in 21 straight outings and multiple strikeouts in 14 of his last 20 contests.

Pitching after Taylor Rogers in a tied game, Matt Magill takes the loss in Oakland serving up a walk-off home run to Khris Davis. Magill’s allowed runs in three of his last four.

Save number 10 for Kirby Yates. He worked 1.1 innings allowing two hits and an earned run with two strikeouts. Since the Brad Hand trade, Yates has converted 10 of 11 save chances and owns a 2.11 ERA with a 0.91 WHIP this year with 84 strikeouts in 59.2 innings.

 





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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Bill
5 years ago

Kapler has used 36 RP’s over the last 7 games. That’s 5+ per game. Good thing MLB is trying to speed up the game…Phillie’s games have become unwatchable!