Bullpen Notes

8/5

LAB REPORTS

By: The Lab

--/--/--

Bullpen Notes🗒️(8/5)

HOU: Game was tied at 3-3 when the bullpen took the hill in the 7th. Steven Okert had the 7th, Bryan Abreu pitched the 8th, and Josh Hader handled the 9th. Okert was the only guy who allowed a runner to reach when he hit a batter with two outs. Bennett Sousa gave up a two run homer to the first batter in the 10th which ended up being too much to overcome. He was charged with the loss. Abreu is pretty much all the way back at this point and while him and Okert have similar holds value if he keeps pitching like this he will be the man to roster. No one is taking the 9th from Hader.

TOR: Spencer Miles was on for the 5th and 6th with the team down in the 5th and tied in the 6th. He has had a pretty good season but isn't much more than a bulk guy right now. Mason Fluharty had the 7th against some of the LHB at the top of the order. Tyler Rogers and Varland pitched the 8th and 9th without issue in the tie game. Chase Lee was called up today and he pitched the 10th with a 5-3 lead. He allowed a single to start the inning which scored the ghost runner but Alvarez was thrown out at second. He got the next two outs to pick up the save. Rogers and Varland are the only two guys worth rostering here and maybe if they win a few games Fluharty could have some holds value but I wouldn't count on it.

LAD: They need a day off at this point. If you check the box score everyone of the guys used today shouldn't be rostered. Phillips would be the only one I would even consider. The three guys who didn't pitch were Diaz the closer, Scott the main holds guy, and Vesia the LHP that could provide some holds if needed when they are winning.

CHC: They had a 6-1 lead when Tyler Ferguson pitched the 6th and 7th. He faced seven batters and got six outs. With a 7-1 lead in the 8th they turned to Caleb Thielbar against the second half of the order and he struggled. After getting the leadoff man he allowed a couple hits and a three run homer. He would put one more batter on before being pulled for Ryan Zeferjahn. Zef got the final two outs but allowed a two run homer to Ohtani. Thielbar got an out and was charged with 4 runs and Zef got two outs, a hold, and was charged with one run. With the score now 7-6 Jacob Webb pitched a perfect 9th picking up the save. It was actually nice to see Zef in that spot against the top of the order. Typically Webb might have pitched in that situation. Webb and Zef are the two I would roster and I think Webb sees like 70-75% of the save chances.

TEX: They had a 5-0 lead in the 5th when Tyler Alexander came on to get the final two outs with a guy on. He returned to pitch the 6th and picked up the win. Ahlsrom, Silseth, and Winn managed to get through the final three innings without allowing any runs. Latz is the only guy worth rostering here until Junis returns or a clear 8th inning man emerges.

TBR: They won the game 4-0 but we got to see Tyler Wells make his debut. He was brought in with two men on and two out in the 6th and got the final out. He returned for the 7th and picked up a hold. Cleavinger and Booser finished off the game but they didn't qualify for a hold or save. Wells value is likely shot as he appears destined for the middle innings. Kelly and Cleavinger should still be better for holds and obviously Baker remains the closer.

LAA: Shaun Anderson pitched the 5th and 6th with the team down. He had no issues. Ben Joyce made his return in the 7th and walked a guy but a caught stealing ended the inning. He only threw 50% of his pitches for strikes but no worries as he was throwing over 100. Jose Fermin pitched the 8th and allowed a two run dong which made it a 5-2 game. Fermin has been awful in important spots but they don't have much left in the bullpen. I assume Natera would have closed if they had the lead though Murphy might have found his way in if they were playing matchups. Things look good for Joyce if he can stay healthy I would think he would be able to close after he gets a couple more innings in. I still think Natera is worth a spot but if he doesn't see a chance and convert it soon it will be even easier for Joyce to take the job.

BAL: Alex Hoppe made his debut in the 7th with a runner on first and a 3-1 lead. He got a couple outs and allowed a single before being pulled for Rico Garcia who would get the final out of the inning. Both guys picked up holds. With the 8, 9, and 1 hitters coming up they went with Yennier Cano in the 8th and he was perfect picking up a hold. With a 5-2 lead in the 9th Andrew Kittredge got three flyouts against the meat of the order and picked up a save. I mentioned yesterday that Kitty could still be in the mix since he faced the better hitters and that is what we saw tonight. Both Cano and Kitty are righties so there isn't really a matchup to play but we could certainly see a duo in the 9th. I still like Kitty slightly more and he would be my pick to win the job.

ATH: Hayden Juenger gave up a run in the 6th with the game tied. That ended up being the losing run. Outside of Hogan Harris you can avoid everyone in this bullpen.

CIN: The big three in their bullpen got the final nine outs and they picked up the win. Brock Burke got four outs in the 7th and 8th and Tejay Antone got two outs in the 8th. Both guys picked up holds and neither allowed a base runner. Emilio Pagán was perfect in the 9th picking up the save. Pagán remains a solid closer and Antone is worth considering for holds but I don't think they win enough to roster him.

CLE: Erik Sabrowski allowed a triple and got an out to end the 6th. Craig Yoho pitched the 7th with the team down 4-3. They took a 5-4 lead and used Hunter Gaddis in the 8th. He allowed a lead off double and picked up a hold. Cade Smith pitched the 9th and struggled. He loaded the bases but did get a grounder that should have ended it but the shortstop botched it and a run scored. Smith was charged with a blown save. Matt Festa took the loss in the 10th allowing the ghost runner to score. Its been a rough week for the bullpen but all the guys remain in their roles with Smith and Gaddis the men to roster.

NYM: Pretty much all new faces today in the bullpen. Jefry Yan pitched the 6th and his inning was as much of an adventure as his strikeout celebration. He didn't allow any runs and picked up a hold. Dedniel Nunez pitched the 7th and allowed two runs. he was charged with a blown save but the runs were unearned after an error to start the inning. Chayce McDermott got through the 8th and the 9th and picked up the win. With a 6-5 lead in the 10th Daniel Duarte picked up the save. A guy popped out on a bunt which really helped him keep the ghost runner from scoring. Devin Williams had some arm fatigue but they claim he will be available tomorrow. Keep an eye out since it appears Duarte would be next in line here. I wouldn't look to make any moves right now and Williams remains the closer.

STL: George Soriano came on in the 6th with a 3-0 lead, a couple on, and one out. He hit a batter to load the bases, stuck out a guy, walked an inherited runner in, and ended the inning with a strikeout. He returned and got the first out of the 7th. Justin Bruihl put a couple on but got the last two outs to end the inning. Ryne Stanek got through the 8th allowing a couple walks. All three of those guys were credited with a holds. Riley O'Brien walked a guy in the 9th but protected the 3-1 lead to pick up the save. They didn't do much with the bullpen at the deadline so ROB remains the closer with Soriano and Stanek as the holds options.

PHI: They used the entire bullpen tonight. Orion Kerkering picked up a hold in the 6th pitching a perfect inning with a 2-1 lead. Brooks Raley had the 7th and got the first two outs before allowing a homer that tied it, a double, and a single that put them down 3-2. He was charged with a blown save. Bowlan and Duran got through the 8th and 9th with the game tied. José Alvarado allowed the ghost runner to score in the 10th but they tied it again. Caleb Kilian got mauled in the 11th and ended up being charged with 5 runs. He would take the loss though Chase Shugart did him no favors allowing all three of the inherited runners to score. Not an ideal day but I wouldn't over react yet. Duran is the closer and well see who ends up as the best holds option between Kerkering, Alvarado, Raley and Bowlan since all will be in the mix.

WSN: Will Dion got two outs in the 6th in his first appearance with the team. Yovanny Cruz started the 7th with a 3-2 lead and allowed a walk and a couple singles that scored the run. He was charged with a blown save in his first appearance here. Tom Cosgrove and Orlando Ribalta got 8 outs with the game tied to send it to extra innings. They took a lead in the 10th and used Clayton Beeter who allowed the ghost runner to score and was charged with a blown save but he got a win. Brad Lord finished the game with a big lead returning from the IL to pitch the 11th. This bullpen remains a mess. I can't knock Beeter for the blown save since it was the ghost runner. He is still the only guy I would consider rostering for saves here and we will see if the rest of the guys can start getting him the ball in the 9th and keeping him out of the game earlier.

CWS: Sean Newcomb got a double play to end the 5th, pitched the 6th, and gave up a hit in the 7th before being pulled for Huascar Brazoban. Brazzy allowed that run to score but it was unearned after the catcher threw the ball away on a steal. They were down at the time so just outs for those two. Taylor hasn't pitched since Sunday so he should be ready to go tomorrow if they have a lead. Well see if he pitches the 9th or earlier in the game which would leave the 9th open for Hudson or Hicks if they have a lead.

BOS: They had a 3-0 lead in the 7th and used Tyron Guerrero. He was perfect picking up a hold. In the 8th they went with Garrett Whitlock and he allowed a single but picked up a hold. They tacked on a run and Jovani Moran pitched the 9th. Great bullpen and as long as they keep winning they have three guys who get steady holds. Whitlock is the best for holds and Chapman is the closer.

ATL: Iggy and Lee had pitched last night so they had the night off. With a 4-1 lead Dylan Dodd started the 8th and got two outs but let two men reach. Didier Fuentes came in to get the final out and he pitched a perfect 9th. Dodd got a hold and Fuentes picked up a save. Dodd could be worth looking at for holds and as good as Fuentes has been he probably isn't worth rostering despite todays rouge save.

PIT: Lake Bacher pitched the 6th and 7th allowing a run on a homer. It was his debut with the team. Evan Sisk returned from the IL and pitched the 8th. They were down when both guys were in and we still haven't seen Weaver pitch yet. Until we see the bullpen with a lead I can't tell who will close. Weaver, Monty and Soto are all in the mix with Weaver and Monty the favorites.

MIL: Chad Patrick pitched the 6th and picked up a hold. DL Hall allowed a couple runs in the 7th with a 4-2 lead and was pulled for Antonio Senzatela who got the last out picking up a hold. Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill got the final 6 outs of the game without allowing a runner and picked up a hold and save. The bullpen is solid and when they get Romero back it will move Hall out of the bigger spots and that should make them even better.

MIN: With the score tied at 1-1 they used Tommy Nance in the 7th. He allowed a single but the guy got caught stealing. A.J. Minter had the 8th and allowed a lead off dong that was the difference in the game. He was charged with a loss. Jeff Hoffman pitched the 8th and I'm sure it was more to get an inning in with the team. I don't think he should close but he has better stuff than Gomez. We are going to have to wait to see who they use with a lead.

KCR: They only needed one man in the bullpen tonight and with a 2-1 lead in the 9th they turned to Steven Cruz. He mowed down the meat of the lineup and picked up the save. The bullpen is terrible so that is hurting him since they use him more prior to the 9th. Go watch his outing tonight. He has the stuff for the 9th and is just a matter of mental capability which we will find out and manager usage which we have no idea about. I'm adding Cruz everywhere though.

DET: It was pretty much a bullpen game with Anderson starting. Tyler Holton was good and got 6 outs in the middle innings. Brenan Hanifee came on with an out in the 6th and let the first two reach before allowing a three run homer. He was charged with the loss and no one else of importance pitched. Kenley is the closer and Finnegan might also be worth rostering for holds.

SEA: They bullpen almost blew the game in the 8th but held on. Gabe Speier got the first two outs before throwing at batter and eventually hitting him. He would get tossed which lead to Eduard Bazardo coming in. He gave up a 2 run dong to the first batter he faced which made it 3-2. He would get a strikeout to end the inning and both guys picked up holds. Andrés Muñoz pitched a perfect 9th with a couple strikeouts and picked up the save. These are the three guys to roster in this bullpen.

ARI: They had a huge lead and used Kevin Ginkel in the 9th. He got two outs and allowed four runs. Sewald came on to get the final out without allowing any more damage. Disappointing if you have Ginkel but as I have been saying Garcia is the closer and Ginkel should remain in the mix for holds.

Follow me @GettheSave9th and subscribe to the lab.

LOADING LAB DATA...