Bullpen Notes

7/27

LAB REPORTS

By: The Lab

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Bullpen Notes🗒️(7/27)

TEX: They had a 5 run lead but decided to use Junis and Latz for the 8th and 9th. Both guys allowed two runners and Latz allowed a run on a sac fly. They had both pitched a couple days ago so this was somewhat surprising. They have a series with Tampa starting tomorrow. They should still be looking into a high leverage reliever at the deadline to but Latz and Junis are locked into their roles.

ARI: Juan Morillo got an out to get out of the starters mess in the 6th. He returned for the 7th and was perfect picking up a hold. Jonathan Loáisiga pitched the 8th with a 2-1 lead and after getting two outs allowed back to back doubles that tied the game. He was charged with a blown save. Taylor Clarke pitched the 9th and came back for the 10th. He didn't get through the 10th allowing the ghost runner to score after getting an out. Tough loss here with Garcia and Ginkel unavailable and Loáisiga probably shouldn't be pitching in the 8th. Sewald is the closer and Ginkel and Morillo are the holds guys and next in line.

PIT: With the team down Yohan Ramirez and Ron Marinaccio got them to the 9th. Gregory Soto allowed a one out hit in the 9th but kept the game tied and in the 10th Mason Montgomery battled through an error to prevent the ghost runner from scoring and pick up the win. Monty seems like the closer right now but Soto is in the mix. They need a righty at the deadline and could use more than just one.

BAL: Yennier Cano got the last out of the 5th and a couple outs in the 6th. Grant Wolfram got the final out of the 6th and pitched the 7th. They gave him the win even though Cano also pitched with the lead. Andrew Kittredge allowed a lead off single in the 8th and picked up a hold. They flipped the tables on us and used Rico Garcia in the 9th with a three run lead. He actually pitched very well. Wells had thrown 16 pitches yesterday so I am surprised he didn't pitch today. Garcia had been credited with a blown save in each of his last two appearances both in the 8th. I still think Wells is the best option for saves but this team might be more of a committee than I want to admit. I will say if they sell Garcia is the add since he likely will remain with the team.

MIA: The bullpen started off pretty ugly blowing a 5-2 lead in the 6th. Cade Gibson started the 6th and allowed a walk, a couple singles, a run and got an out. He did pick up a hold. Tyler Zuber was next in and allowed a couple of Gibson's runs to score before letting one of his own in that was unearned. He was charged with a blown save. John King pitched the 7th and 8th allowing a run in the 8th that made it 7-5. Calvin Faucher got the top of the lineup out in the 9th allowing just a walk to Harper and picking up the win. Well have to see what they do at the deadline because they are still in contention but they could certainly upgrade the bullpen or trade Fairbanks.

PHI: Once they got a lead in the top of the 6th they turned to José Alvarado, Jonathan Bowlan, and Orion Kerkering to get the ball to Duran in the 9th. Those three guys all picked up holds and only Kerkering allowed a base runner. This is the setup that you should expect unless they add someone to the bullpen. Jhoan Duran had the 9th with a 7-5 lead and he fell apart. The first five guys he faced reached base and they had tied the game. He did get an out but allowed another single that ended the game. He was charged with a blown save and a loss. It just wasn't a great night for Duran and hopefully he bounces back next outing. His fastball was still over 100 most of the night and he didn't look hurt so I am not worried.

WSN: Eddy Yean started today. There are sites out there that had him as the next in line for closer. It is tough to call on this team but don't get fooled into rostering some of their bullpen minor leaguers. They were down so Paxton Schultz and Carson Palmquist got through the late innings. Beeter is the most likely to get a save here and I doubt they do much to improve the bullpen at the deadline.

TOR: They pretty much had a bullpen game with Scherzer not getting though the 3rd. Mason Fluharty got out of the 3rd and pitched the 4th. He picked up a win. Adam Macko allowed a run and Spencer Miles did not as those two got them to the 7th. They switched it up with Tyler Rogers pitching the 7th against 9, 1, and 2, and Hoffman pitching the 8th against the middle of the order. Hoffman allowed a two out double to make things interesting but both guys picked up holds. Louis Varland pitched the 9th as expected with a 3-2 lead. He got a couple quick outs and allowed a single and walk before striking out the two hitter to end the game. Varland shouldn't be on the move but Rogers and Hoffman could be so pay attention to what they do at the deadline.

CWS: With the game tied at 4-4 in the 7th they went with Bryan Hudson who allowed a lead off double that would eventually come around to score. He would be charged with a loss. In the 8th Sean Newcomb allowed four runs that put the game out of reach. Seranthony Domínguez pitched the 9th allowing just a hit. We know the bullpen has some issues here but Newcomb and Hudson are not true high leverage guys so that really only leaves Taylor to cover a lot of big spots. They could use another guy or two to help out here if they really want to make a push. Taylor is the best option to close but he is needed outside the 9th too often to trust for saves.

NYY: They used most of the bullpen with the starter only going 3 innings. Tim Hill was charged with a blown save in the 5th allowing a run that tied it. Fernando Cruz pitched in the 5th and 6th and Brent Headrick picked up the win and pitching in the 6th and 7th. Paul Blackburn had the 8th and with a 9-4 lead in the 9th Camilo Doval took the hill. He struggled and was charged with an unearned run. That lead to Bednar getting into the game to get the final out and he picked up a save. As I always say it is tough to make judgements in bullpen games since guys are needed all over the place. Bednar is the closer and Cruz will pitch later in the game on most nights. They could still add a big name guy to put them over the top but he won't take over the closer role.

SFG: Very nice work by the bullpen tonight. Sam Hentges got the middle of the order out in the 7th stranding a runner that the starter had left him. Dylan Smith pitched a perfect 8th with a 3-0 lead. Both of those guys picked up holds. Erik Miller was on for the 9th and was also perfect striking out two. I like how the bullpen set up tonight and with the result maybe they would use this combo again. Miller is the closer here and I doubt he gets traded but as a lefty there is always a chance. Hentges is the guy who should be moved. The less Kilian we see late the better.

ATH: Jose Suarez's hot streak came to an end in the 6th. He came on with a couple on and walked a guy to load the bases before giving up a grand slam. He was charged with a blown save and is just another guy pitching in spots that might be too much for him. Elvis Alvarado pitched the 7th, Hayden Juenger pitched the 8th and Hogan Harris had the 9th. Alvarado had some issues but didn't allow a run. Harris is the closer here and he could be on the move since he is a lefty but it isn't a sure thing. Medina has the best shot for holds though he is risky as well.

BOS: The bullpen dominated again. Justin Slaten pitched in the 6th getting two outs. Jovani Moran stepped in for the 7th and Garrett Whitlock had the 8th. Both guys had perfect innings and picked up holds. Aroldis Chapman pitched the 9th with a 4-2 lead and allowed a lead off single as well as a guy to reach on an error. He ended up striking out three and getting the save. No change in the bullpen here as Chapman is the closer and Whitlock is the holds guy. They are one of the best bullpens in the league which gives Slaten some value as well.

CHC: The game was 5-1 when they brought in Gavin Hollowell to finish the 6th. He allowed an inherited runner to score and one of his own on a couple hits. With a 5-3 lead the went with Ryan Rolison to start the 7th and he got a couple outs between a walk and was pulled for Trent Thornton. He got out of the 7th and allowed some loud contact in the 8th that resulted in three outs. Both guys picked up holds. They opened up a 7-3 lead going into the 9th but still used Jacob Webb. He allowed a two out double and but no runs. Webb is the guy here for now and we just wait to see what they do at the deadline or if and when Palencia might return.

LAA: Pretty poor bullpen usage here and it resulted in a loss. There was a key error though. Chase Silseth pitched well in the 7th with a 4-1 lead and picked up a hold. Ryan Zeferjahn pitched against the top of the order in the 8th and allowed a run. The first two guys reached but he got the next three. In the 9th with a 4-2 lead they went with Jose Fermin for some reason. He hit the first batter and walked the second to get into trouble. The next guy hit a tailor made double play ball that went through the 2nd baseman's legs and allowed a run to score. The next batter popped up a bunt and they pulled him for Sam Bachman. He got an out and they intentionally walked Alvarez to load the bases. Bachman got a couple strikes on the next guy but hit him to tie up the game. Two more runs would score on another walk and an error to make it 6-4. Not sure why they didn't just start the inning with Bachman but it was pretty poor and obliviously the errors hurt. Zef is the best choice for saves but this is looking like a committee to me with Bachman and probably Yates as well.

HOU: The starter went down in the first so this was a full bullpen game. Cristian Javier worked the bulk of it and they rallied in the 9th to help him pick up the win. Hader had the 9th and made things interesting allowing two walks but he picked up the save. Hader is a stud and they should be looking for another arm or two preferably one that is right handed.

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