What’s poppin, Razzpimples? Bullpen update time!
Don’t forget, the Razzball Bullpen Chart is manned by yours truly and updated like every single second (not really, but I stay on top of thangs for the most part). And directly below, you’ll see a current look at the Top 15 RP (in both 5×5 standard leagues and 6×6 saves/holds leagues) via our Player Rater. Subscribers also get access to the incredibly handy Relievonator Game Log, which tracks every single relief appearance from the last 14 days, including what inning they were called upon and how many batters/pitches they faced/threw.
Alrighty, let’s do it to it. (Note: Monday’s games do not factor in)
Player Rater Top 15 (5×5 Standard)
| # | Name | Team | Pos | $ | $/G | PS | PA/IP | $W | $SV | $ERA | $WHIP | $K | R% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Felix Bautista | BAL | RP | 30.8 | 13.4 | 9.7 | 50 | 4.8 | 13.1 | 3.8 | 2.8 | 5.3 | 100 |
| 2 | Devin Williams | MIL | RP | 19.1 | 9 | 6 | 40 | 3.1 | 11.9 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 100 |
| 3 | Alexis Diaz | CIN | RP | 18.8 | 4.9 | 6 | 46 | -0.2 | 14.9 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 100 |
| 4 | Camilo Doval | SF | RP | 17.4 | 4.5 | 5.5 | 48 | -0.2 | 14.9 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 100 |
| 5 | Craig Kimbrel | PHI | RP | 14 | 2.9 | 4.5 | 45 | 4.8 | 6.6 | -0.6 | 1 | 1.2 | 100 |
| 6 | Jordan Romano | TOR | RP | 13.9 | 4 | 4.4 | 42 | 1.4 | 13.1 | 0 | -1.2 | -0.5 | 100 |
| 7 | Carlos Estevez | LAA | RP | 13 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 43 | 3.1 | 10.1 | 1.5 | -2.6 | -0.2 | 100 |
| 8 | David Bednar | PIT | RP | 12.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 43 | -0.2 | 8.9 | 2.5 | 0.4 | -0.1 | 100 |
| 9 | Ryan Pressly | HOU | RP | 11.6 | 1.5 | 3.7 | 47 | -0.2 | 10.7 | -0.6 | 1.4 | -0.6 | 100 |
| 10 | Josh Hader | SD | RP | 11.4 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 40 | -5.3 | 11.3 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 100 |
| 11 | Paul Sewald | ARI | RP | 10.6 | 1.6 | 3.4 | 43 | -0.2 | 8.9 | -0.2 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 100 |
| 12 | David Robertson | MIA | RP | 9.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 45 | 1.4 | 5.4 | 1.4 | 1 | -0.7 | 100 |
| 13 | Emmanuel Clase | CLE | RP | 8.8 | -1 | 2.8 | 49 | -3.6 | 13.1 | -0.1 | -0.1 | -1.5 | 100 |
| 14 | Alex Lange | DET | RP | 7 | 0.1 | 2.3 | 43 | 3.1 | 6.6 | -1.6 | -1.9 | -0.1 | 100 |
| 15 | Clay Holmes | NYY | RP | 6.9 | 0 | 2.2 | 41 | 1.4 | 4.8 | 0.9 | -0.6 | -0.6 | 100 |
Player Rater Top 15 (6×6 w/ Holds)
| # | Name | Team | Pos | $ | $/G | PS | PA/IP | $W | $SV | $ERA | $WHIP | $K | $HLD | R% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Felix Bautista | BAL | RP | 29.4 | 21.5 | 7.5 | 50 | 6.3 | 13.2 | 4.4 | 3.5 | 6.3 | -5.2 | 100 |
| 2 | Alexis Diaz | CIN | RP | 18.6 | 12.9 | 4 | 46 | 1.2 | 15.6 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 2.5 | -4.6 | 100 |
| 3 | Devin Williams | MIL | RP | 17.3 | 17 | 3.6 | 40 | 4.6 | 11.6 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 1.5 | -5.2 | 100 |
| 4 | Camilo Doval | SF | RP | 16.7 | 12.4 | 3.4 | 48 | 1.2 | 15.6 | 1 | 0.9 | 2.1 | -5.2 | 100 |
| 5 | Jordan Romano | TOR | RP | 13.7 | 12.3 | 2.5 | 42 | 2.9 | 13.2 | 0.6 | -0.5 | 0.6 | -4.1 | 100 |
| 6 | Craig Kimbrel | PHI | RP | 12.7 | 9.8 | 2.1 | 45 | 6.3 | 4.4 | -0.1 | 1.7 | 2.3 | -2.9 | 100 |
| 7 | Carlos Estevez | LAA | RP | 11.8 | 11.5 | 1.8 | 43 | 4.6 | 9.2 | 2.1 | -1.9 | 0.8 | -4.1 | 100 |
| 8 | Hector Neris | HOU | RP | 10.3 | 5.3 | 1.4 | 45 | 6.3 | -7.5 | 3 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 6.8 | 2 |
| 9 | Joel Payamps | MIL | RP | 9.8 | 5.2 | 1.2 | 49 | 2.9 | -6.7 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 6.2 | 7 |
| 10 | David Bednar | PIT | RP | 9.8 | 11.7 | 1.2 | 43 | 1.2 | 7.6 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 0.9 | -5.2 | 100 |
| 11 | David Robertson | MIA | RP | 9.6 | 10.1 | 1.1 | 45 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 2 | 1.7 | 0.3 | -1.2 | 100 |
| 12 | Ryan Pressly | HOU | RP | 9.5 | 8.5 | 1.1 | 47 | 1.2 | 10 | -0.1 | 2.1 | 0.4 | -5.2 | 100 |
| 13 | Josh Hader | SD | RP | 9.5 | 11 | 1.1 | 40 | -3.8 | 10.8 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 1.8 | -5.2 | 100 |
| 14 | Paul Sewald | ARI | RP | 7.8 | 8.3 | 0.6 | 43 | 1.2 | 7.6 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 1.6 | -5.2 | 100 |
| 15 | Emmanuel Clase | CLE | RP | 7.5 | 6.1 | 0.5 | 49 | -2.1 | 13.2 | 0.4 | 0.6 | -0.4 | -5.2 | 100 |
Couple things: firstly, yes, I’m using another “slay” pun in the headline in consecutive weeks; secondly, I’m changing up the format yet again. Creative license, ya dig?! I’m all about that stream of consciousness, y’all.
Adbert Alzolay is the headline boi this week after leading the way with 3 SV. Man has evolved into one of the better closers in the game. Over the past month, he’s sporting a 30.8 K% to a paltry 1.9 BB%. And while he’s given up 14 H in 12.1 IP, the quality of the stuff speaks to that being more unlucky than bad. The Cubs are even pretty kinda decent, so his outlook ROS is just fine and dandy in my book.
Paul Sewald was traded to the Diamondbacks while I was writing this lol. So I’ve had to pivot, but not so much that I’m bothering to change the headline. Sewald’s stock doesn’t change a bit. Zona has been playing Whose Line Is It Anyway with closers lately, and you don’t go and trade for one of the best in the game just to keep doing that. The job will be his. You can lose all other ARZ relievers in SV-only formats. I would prioritize holding Andrew Chafin in SVHD, and then I guess Scott McGough after that.
Andres Munoz should slide into the closer role for the Mariners, so his SV-only stonks are soaring. SVHD stonks stay the same, of course. Justin Topa’s SVHD stonks are up as a result.
Pete Fairbanks had 2 SV and 3 K in two scoreless. The Rays continue to deploy him as a full-time closer for like the first time ever as a franchise (not really, but it feels like it don’t it?), so he should be a total stud the rest of the way (given health). Last year he was sensational, and he’s pretty much matched that badassery in 2023.
David Bednar had an ugly 1.91 WHIP this week, allowing 3 H and 4 BB in just 3.2 IP. Good news is he struck out seven and allowed just 1 ER. Will he have been traded by the time you read this?! I bet the asking price is too high, but you never know.
Brooks Raley collected a couple saves while striking out five in 3.1 IP. Since David Robertson got dealt to the Marlins, it’ll be Raley and Adam Ottavino splitting save opps for the monumentally underwhelming Mets.
Adam Ottavino, for his part, had just 1 HLD this week, but posted shiny ratios and struck out a pair. Let’s see how things shake out the next week or so, but I do expect they split duties.
Scott Barlow is surely wearing another hat by the end of the day. I’d be shook af if they can’t move him. He picked a bad week to suck (6.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP) but his track record is solid, so I doubt it hurt his stock.
Carlos Hernandez should be the next man up for saves in KC. He has a 1.35 ERA and 0.75 WHIP to his name over the last month, striking out 15 in 13.1 IP.
Dylan Coleman is back up and collecting holds for the Royals. I thought he’d be better than he has been, but at least he’s back and doing stuff?
Trevor May was effective again, collecting a save and not allowing a run. Also probably wearing a different hat sometime today, so you should just drop him. He won’t close anywhere else. Lucas Erceg would be my guess to be the most fantasy-relevant RP in Oakland if/when May moves. Wouldn’t bother in most formats, however.
David Robertson is now on the Marlins, so I’d argue his SV-only stock rises at least a little. Mets are in fire sale mode. A.J. Puk has been atrocious lately, and that just means the likelihood of DRob taking the gig and running with it is very high. Puk pitched just 1.1 IP this week and still allowed 5 H, 3 ER, and 1 BB. Going back a full month, his line is a stinky pile of trash: 8.2 IP, 15 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 4 BB, 4 BB, but then somewhat salvaged by 17 K. Even with the K, I’m done with this dude. Drop him.
Jordan Romano has landed on the IL with back problems. Been there, bro. Consequently, I’d expect Erik Swanson, Yimi Garcia (who got the save directly after Romano’s injury), and maybe even a newly-acquired guy I’ll get to next to committee-it-up.
Jordan Hicks is that newly-acquired guy. The Cardinals were reportedly working on a contract extension, but it turns out they wanted to part ways after all. Hicks has had control issues, per the usual, but the K upside is up there with some of the best. Still, even moving to a better team and maybe seeing some save opps, he’ll cede said opps once Romano is healthy again. I would drop him in all formats. He for sure will not oust Swanson for holds.
JoJo Romero and Giovanny Gallegos see their SV-only stock rise as a result of the Hicks move. It was Romero getting the first post-Hicks save, while Gallegos got the 7th and the 8th innings of that game. I gotta think Gallegos pulls ahead, but Romero’s past month or so has been pretty all right. Ryan Helsley should be back before too long, so plan to cut Romero/Gallegos eventually. Gallegos’s SVHD value doesn’t change.
Craig Kimbrel, by no fault of his own, has maybe lost a little SV-only value. Inexplicably, in my humble opinion, the Phillies have started to play the high-leverage-matchup game, at least they did back on the 26th, when they gave him the 8th for a hold. Kimbrel may no longer be the sole option in the ninth, so Gregory Soto is someone you’ll want to add if you’re looking for every save you can get. It’s worth noting it hasn’t happened since then, however.
Steven Wilson and Robert Suarez each collected 2 HLD this week. Suarez was the better of the two, and he’s getting paid, so he’s the one I’d want to roster.
Joel Payamps has risen to #9 on the 6×6 Player Rater. Excellent all-around value, and nothing should change ROS. He wasn’t his best this week in terms of hits/runs, but I’ll take a 3:0 K:BB in 3 IP.
Yennier Cano is still very meh. He got kinda good again for a little bit, but then went and earned a BS and L this week, allowing 5 H, 2 ER, and 1 BB in 2.1 IP. The Orioles will probably continue to use him as the main setup man, so you could hang onto him for holds. I just wouldn’t expect the other stats to amount to much.
Daniel Bard was very yips-y this week (21.60 ERA, 3.60 WHIP) and has pretty much 10000000% fallen all the way out of high-leverage contention. I don’t think many of you were rostering this dude but go ahead and cut ties if you were.
Tyler Rogers struggled this week, collecting two blown saves. Did still earn 1 W and 2 HLD, though. And his 5:1 K:BB wasn’t bad either. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Giants add another reliever to give Rogers a little less pressure in that pen.
Seranthony Dominguez was activated off the IL, buuuut he sucked. In just 1.1 IP, he allowed 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, and 1 HR while registering 2 BS. Maybe that’s just the rust being shaken off.
I specialize in bullpens and I used to do some fantasy hockey as well here at Razzball. Find me on Twitter: @jkj0787. DMs are always open for questions, comments, concerns, complaints, etc. Odds are good I’m drinking black coffee, dark beer, or some form of bourbon at any given time of day.
