Bullpen Notes

7/19

LAB REPORTS

By: The Lab

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Bullpen Notes🗒️(7/19)

CWS: Bryan Hudson got an out in the 7th with a guy on and pitched a perfect 8th. He picked up a hold. They turned to Grant Taylor for the 9th and he allowed the first two to reach but got an out and a double play to end the game and pick up a save. Taylor was used against the top of the lineup. This is pretty much the ideal scenario for Taylor as he only had to pitch one inning. I would say he should be added everywhere as he is clearly the main option for saves and they are leading the division. Sean Newcomb retains some minor value as I think he is next in line to close and could see some holds.

TEX: They had a rough 7th inning which turned a close game into a semi-blowout. Tyler Alexander faced three batters and two of them reached. Peyton Gray came in and allowed a couple hits that scored both of Alexander's runs and one of his own. With Junis back both of these guys have lost some value. Alexander is probably the slightly better guy to roster if you need a deep holds option.

ATL: Dylan Dodd battled though the 6th inning getting two outs, allowing two runners to reach, and picking up a hold. Didier Fuentes got the final out and pitched the 7th picking a hold as well. They had a four run lead when Dylan Lee pitched the 8th and allowed a run. They used Raisel Iglesias in the 9th with a four run lead and he allowed a lead off homer but nothing else. Lee has been struggling as the holds guy and he might just be overused. I'm not that worried but we are at the point that it should be mentioned.

PIT: The bullpen finally performed though they had a 5-1 lead for both innings that they were used for. Mason Montgomery pitched the 8th against the bottom of the order and the lead off batter and he had no problems. CLE has a lot of LHB so I am a little disappointed to see him in this inning but it is better than nothing. They went with Isaac Mattson in the 9th and he pitched a perfect inning. Neither guy was credited with anything other than outs. The bullpen still needs to find a closer and it seems like a trade is the most likely option. I like Montgomery from the guys on the team but they really haven't used him as the closer.

BAL: They had a very depleted bullpen but managed to get the job done with two guys today. Garcia started the 8th with a 5-1 lead and allowed a lead off homer. He did allow another single but no more runs. With a 5-2 lead in the 9th they turned to Grant Wolfram who got though the bottom of the lineup and picked up his first save of the season. I really wouldn't look too much into today since they had so many of the main guys resting. Wells is the closer and Kittredge and Cano are the top holds options.

HOU: Bryan King got a work inning in. He got the final out of the 5th and allowed a solo homer in the 6th while getting two outs. They really need to get King right if they are going to make a run. They sent him down after the game which is honestly shocking.

MIL: They were down until the 9th and used Chad Patrick in the 6th and 7th, Aaron Ashby in the 8th, and Grant Anderson in the 9th. Both Patrick and Ashby let two on with one out and Anderson ended up picking up the win. Megill and Uribe are still the main guys you want to roster for saves and holds.

MIA: Cade Gibson got a couple outs in the 7th and allowed a hit with a 1-0 lead. He ended up picking up a hold. Michael Petersen got the final out of the 7th and pitched the 8th with no issue picking up a hold. Pete Fairbanks had the 9th and allowed the first two on before getting a strikeout. The next batter ended the game with a three run homer and Fairbanks was charged with a loss and a blown save. No good way to spin this a Fairbanks remains a risky 9th inning option. He might end up being traded as they have started to fall out of the playoff race. If they pull him from the 9th Petersen seems like the next in line but remember last year they used a committee which is why Fairbanks was brought in.

KCR: They got mauled but that didn't prevent both Matt Strahm and Lucas Erceg from giving up a run each. Both guys should be cut in all leagues at this point.

CHC: They killed the Twins but used Phil Maton in the 8th. He allowed a couple to reach and gave up a run. He has been a disappointment this season and is dealing with chronic knee soreness. Drew Pomeranz pitched a scoreless 9th with a 10-1 lead. They need help in the bullpen.

CIN: Emilio Pagán pitched the 9th and allowed a solo homer. He really hasn't seen many chances since returning from the IL. I think he has one save. He could end up being on the move depending how the closer and relief market shakes out.

COL: Jordan Romano was used in the 9th with a four run lead. He pitched a perfect inning. To me he is the closer here and while I doubt they can pull it off I'm sure they would love to trade him. There is not much else in this bullpen and we are going to have to see what it looks like after the deadline. It is a team to avoid.

ATH: Elvis Alvarado took another beating in the 5th inning. He was called on to face the middle of the lineup with a 2-1 lead and one out. He allowed a walk, got an out, and allowed back to back homers. He did get out of the inning but the game was now 5-1. As I have been saying I do think he is still in the mix for saves but they just dont win. Both him and Harris have not pitched late in the game for about a month now. Really no reason to roster anyone in this bullpen as long as they keep losing.

WSN: The starter got them to the 8th with a 5-1 lead. Tom Cosgrove was the first man in and he got two quick outs before allowing a couple singles and getting the hook. Clayton Beeter came on and threw a wild pitch but got out of the inning. Somewhat surprisingly based on their resent history they left Beeter in for the 9th. He allowed a run but with a 5-1 lead it didn't make a difference. Since guys were on in the 8th when he entered he picked up the save. It would be nice to see them use Beeter as the closer but it doesn't happen that often. He is the best reliever they have.

LAA: Samy Natera, Chase Silseth, and Sam Bachman got through the 6th, 7th, and 8th with a 3-1 lead. Silseth was the only guy who allowed a base runner. Ryan Zeferjahn was the guy they turned to for the 9th and he allowed a lead off homer but got the next three guys out. I would expect this type of setup for the bullpen once they get rid of Kirby Yates. I still think all four of these guys will remain with the team the rest of the year unless they are blown away with an offer. Zef is a risky add since they aren't that good and he is gonna have a learning to curve to see if he can even keep the job. Bachman is the best options for holds.

SEA: Eduard Bazardo and Gabe Speier got though the 7th and 8th with the team up 4-3 and 6-3. They both picked up holds and Bazardo allowed a single while Speier allowed a walk. Bazardo is probable the better options for holds at the moment but Speier will get his share. Andrés Muñoz came on for the 9th and he was perfect picking up the save. He has been throwing the ball harder since that back scare and it has what has contributed to his turn around. He is looking like the closer we remember from last year.

STL: The bullpen played a large part in blowing the 7-0 lead they had today. Ryne Stanek came in with the bases loaded and one out and after walking a run in got out of the inning. The score was 7-3 and he returned to allow a hit to start the 7th. They brought in George Soriano who got a couple outs but allowed and inside the park homer which made it 7-5. One of the runs was charged to Stanek who did pick up a hold. Gordon Graceffo pitched the 8th and allowed two runs while being charged with a blown save. Luis Gastelum pitched a perfect 9th but was brought back for the 10th and allowed the ghost runner to score on a one out double that ended the game. Not really sure why we didn't see ROB but if they had taken a lead it would have been a save chance. They are in trouble with Romero out if Graceffo doesn't pick it up in high leverage spots.

ARI: They were down for a majority of the game and rallied in the 8th. Sewald, Ginkel, and Garcia had pitched back to back days so I am sure they were avoiding those guys. Juan Morillo got an out in the 9th and pitched the 10th without allowing the ghost runner to score. He picked up a win. If they fall out of things and trade Sewald he could end up being the closer here so keep an eye on him even though he has struggled in June and July.

LAD: Yamamoto threw a complete game for them in game one. That allowed them to go with a bullpen game for game two. As always I wouldn't pay too much attention to when guys were used since they were just mixing and matching all game. Kyle Hurt was back up for a couple innings. Evan Phillips ended up with the loss after he allowed an 8th inning homer to Jazz. Scott is the closer for either a couple days or a week when Diaz returns and when that happens he becomes the top holds option.

NYY: Game one saw Jake Bird meltdown in the 8th. He ended up being charged with 5 runs and they went from being down 3-1 to 8-1. He was sent down after the game. Doval and Hill also pitched but they were both in with the team down. They also went with a bullpen game in game two. Blackburn pitched pretty early and for a couple innings. Brent Headrick pitched well in the 6th and 7th. Fernando Cruz didn't have it in the 8th and allowed a run which tied the game. He walked two more and was pulled for David Bednar. Bednar got the last two outs of the 8th and allowed a lead off walk in the 9th to but no runs. He picked up a win and continues to be a very reliable closer. Cruz is prone to some wildness but a good holds option. They need to address the bullpen situation at the deadline though they really don't need a closer.

Follow me @GettheSave9th and check out my bullpen usage doc.

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