Bullpen Notes 6/17/26
Bullpen Notes 6/17/26
LAB REPORTS
Bullpen Notes 6/17/26
SFG
They finished the game from yesterday and played one more. In game one Kilian got the final two outs of a 7-2 win. They did have two guys on when he came in but he didn't qualify for a save. Game two was close until they blew it open in the top of the 9th and almost choked. Hentges pitched the 7th and allowed a walk in the 8th but got a hold and Walker pitched the 8th also picking up a hold. Matt Gage returned from the IL and started the 9th with a 7-2 lead. He got an out, allowed a double, a homer, and let the next two guys on base before getting pulled for Tristan Beck. Beck allowed a run on a wild pitch that was charged to Gage but got the last two outs. I see a lot of comments about why wasn't Kilian used for the save but he had pitched game one so that is pretty obviously the reason. It's 2026 no one pitches both game s of a double header anymore. Walker has pitched three scoreless innings but Kilian is the closer.
KCR
They were up by 6 and 4 for most of the bullpen innings today. Strahm was the 1st in and allowed a run in the 6th. It wasn't a homer at least. Erceg looked good in the 7th. Schreiber was solid in the 8th and Lange had the 9th. No issues for anyone outside of Strahm and no holds or saves due to the 4 run lead. Lange is the closer and he has a somewhat solid grip on the 9th right now.
PHI
Kerkering pitched in the 8th with the team down 10-4. He struggled with his control allowing a couple walks and hitting a batter. The only single of the inning scored a run. This was a work inning for him and with the team down so much I wouldn't look into the result too much. He is still a good holds option who could see the 8th and more holds with Keller on the IL.
HOU
Light work for the bullpen today but they did get though the 8th and 9th. Enyel De Los Santos pitched the 8th and didn't allow anyone to reach while picking up a hold. They turned to Josh Hader for the 9th which is significant because it is the 1st time he has pitched back to back nights since returning. He allowed a leadoff homer but struck the next three out and picked up the save. They had a 4-1 lead going into the inning so in terms of saves it wasn't a difficult one. Assuming Hader recovers tomorrow he is pretty much back to looking like the guy we all remember prior to the injury.
SDP
Bradgley Rodriguez started the game which obviously isn't ideal for his chances to get a hold. At least they trust him against the other teams top guys. Jason Adam pitched a perfect 8th inning and they opened up the game taking a 6-1 lead before using Adrian Morejon in the 9th. Adam did face the middle of the order but I do think that Morejon is the guy they would us if they needed a closer. It is possible Mason Miller returns for the next game Friday but if he doesn't Morejon is the add if you need a cheap save.
TBR
They continue to slide. The bullpen blew it today in the 6th. Garrett Cleavinger pitched the 5th and picked up a hold. They turned to Kevin Kelly in the 6th with a 4-3 lead and he allowed a two run homer to put them down one. He did get thought the 6th and pitched in the 7th before getting pulled for Cole Sulser who finally pitched well in the 7th and 8th. The long road trip is ending so maybe getting off the west coast will help the Rays. Baker is still a stud at closer and Cleavinger is the holds guy I would want to roster.
LAD
Most of the main guys had the day off. Edgardo Henriquez got 4 outs in the 7th and 8th and allowed just one hit. He picked up a hold. Jack Dreyer got the last two outs of the 8th and they headed to the 9th with a 5-4 lead. With Tanner Scott unavailable due to usage it was Alex Vesia who got the save chance. He did end up converting it but he also walked the bases loaded so it was somewhat of an adventure. Vesia has some value but his usage is all over the place. Even though this is his 3rd save it is the first one he has picked up since Diaz was hurt. Scott remains the closer and I still like Kyle Hurt for holds though Vesia also offers some value.
TOR
Full bullpen game today and they threw a shutout. Fisher started and he was the only guy who didn't record a win, hold or save. Hoffman and Rogers got through the 7th and 8th both allowing a hit and both picking up a hold. Varland pitched a perfect dominant 9th striking out three. He is a top of the line closer and Rogers offers the most value for holds.
COL
Minimal game news but they did activate Jimmy Herget who pitched the 8th inning today with the team down. The bullpen needs all the help it can get and while I doubt he closes he has been a good late inning guy the last two years. They did send my boy Seth Halvorsen down which was disappointing.
CHC
They had a big lead for most of the game but things got close late. Milner got an out in the 6th and pitched the 7th with no issues. At that point they had an 8-2 lead and turned to Ethan Roberts who put a couple guys on, got an out and allowed a two run homer. That made it an 8-5 lead and they turned to Caleb Thielbar who allowed a walk and got the final two outs and picked up a hold. That left the 9th for Jacob Webb who allowed a solo homer to make it 8-6 but nothing else. COL had LHB/RHB switching all the way though the lineup so none of the usage was really matchup related. It does appear that Webb is the first choice to close. He did face the tougher part of the lineup today as well. Crazy how they immediately get a save chance after poor Palencia couldn't all year. Webb is worth an add but I would like to see one more save conversion before I rule Thielbar completely out.
BAL
The starter got into the 8th before they turned to Yennier Cano. He came in with two outs and a batter on and allowed another walk before getting the final out picking up a hold. They added a run in the 9th to make the score 5-1. Ryan Helsley came on and the 1st two pitches he threw were hit out of the ballpark. He settled in after that throwing mostly sliders but the final out was a strikeout on a pitch that was 101 mph. Some minor issues were expected for Helsley but it was nice to see him get through the inning. Lets see how he recovers and hopefully this was just some rust. He is closer here as long as he is healthy.
ATH
Not a lot here as they got crushed but Scott Barlow allowed another 4 runs while getting just an out. That is two horrible outings in a row. We might get some injury news but either way he is no longer worth a roster spot if chasing holds. Harris and Alvarado remain the guys to own for holds and saves depending on who gets the 9th.
Explore The Lab.
