What’s poppin’, Razzpimples?
Week 18 is in the books. Bullpen report time!
Don’t forget to keep that there Razzball Bullpen Chart bookmarked. It’s been totally revamped into this awesome, dynamically-updated masterpiece! The calendar view of usage patterns is just pure gold.
Subscribers: Check out the Autopen for today/tomorrow projections (vulture SVHD, anyone?), which also has the same look at the Last 7 Days usage patterns. Another great tool is relief game logs from the last 14 days! Filter/sort/export to your needs.
2026 SVHD Leaders
Player Rater Top RP (5×5 Standard)
Player Rater Top RP (6×6 w/ Holds)
Weekly Notes:
Note: All stats and Player Rater values below are accurate through Sunday’s games.
Ahhhh well, y’all know me. I can’t ever keep my format the same. I’m back to going team by team for the weekly recap this week. Maybe it’ll stick, maybe I’ll be back to just cherry picking some folks next week. Stay tuned!
Arizona Diamondbacks
Paul Sewald (24 SV, 43:9 K:BB) wasn’t great, but he was good enough to pick up a save. Blew another. Juan Morillo (1 SV, 12 HLD, 49:16 K:BB) led the team with 2 HLD this week. Brandyn Garcia (1 SV, 12 HLD, 32:6 K:BB) was my dark horse to take a step forward after a potential bullpen firesale in the desert, but he got walloped this week, so maybe not.
Athletics
Hogan Harris (8 SV, 10 HLD, 61:28 K:BB) nabbed 2 SV and even had a 4:1 K:BB. His walks have been horrendous, but he’s the RP to own if you need saves from an A. Jose Suarez led with 2 HLD. I had to look him up before I remembered he used to be a starter for the Angels. Meh, pass.
Atlanta Braves
Raisel Iglesias (21 SV, 43:8 K:BB) added two more saves. Also a nice 5:1 K:BB. Did blow a save this week, too. Dylan Lee (20 HLD, 60:8 K:BB) had 1 HLD but has had a really rough July. I’m keeping the faith. Dylan Dodd (1 SV, 7 HLD, 34:9 K:BB) and Danny Young (4 HLD, 6:8 K:BB) each had 2 HLD. Lame.
Baltimore Orioles
Grant Wolfram (1 SV, 12 HLD, 33:8 K:BB) got the only hold. Rico Garcia (4 SV, 12 HLD, 47:14 K:BB) blew a couple saves, back-to-back. Yennier Cano (1 SV, 8 HLD, 29:8 K:BB) also blew one. Then good ol’ Andrew Kittredge (3 SV, 5 HLD, 27:9 K:BB) got hit with a couple losses. Tyler Wells (3 SV, 11 HLD, 53:12 K:BB) looked good in non-SV situations. He’s def the guy to roster if you’re picking an Oriole.
Boston Red Sox
Aroldis Chapman (24 SV, 42:17 K:BB) had 3 SV. Guy is timeless. Justin Slaten (15 HLD, 34:6 K:BB) had 2 HLD, while Garrett Whitlock (2 SV, 19 HLD, 40:6 K:BB) had one and also blew one. Tyron Guerrero (11 HLD, 28:3 K:BB) managed a hold as well while striking out 4. Boston keeps winning like this they’re gonna have no choice but to be buyers at the deadline.
Chicago Cubs
Two saves for the Cubs went to two randos: Javier Assad and Gavin Hollowell (1 SV, 1 HLD, 13:8 K:BB). No holds anywhere. Best ding dang believe this pen will have a new name or two in a week or so.
Chicago White Sox
Bryan Hudson (4 SV, 6 HLD, 43:17 K:BB) had the only White Sox save. Grant Taylor (5 SV, 7 HLD, 74:18 K:BB) and Jordan Hicks (1 SV, 5 HLD, 33:20 K:BB) each had 2 HLD. Seranthony Dominguez (12 SV, 4 HLD, 44:22 K:BB) had one. Taylor owners want him to be the closer, but it’s just probably not going to happen like that. He got two innings the other day and K’d 5. That’s more valuable than saving him for the 9th.
Cincinnati Reds
Emilio Pagan (10 SV, 21:8 K:BB) fired off three straight perfect outings, nabbing a save in each. I wrote him off and now I feel kinda dumb. It’s a small sample, though. Tejay Antone (1 SV, 5 HLD, 28:8 K:BB) had 2 HLD. I could kinda get behind him in a deeper format. I still have soft spot in my heart for him from years ago.
Cleveland Guardians
Cade Smith (29 SV, 67:11 K:BB) had 1 SV and blew another despite a 0.00 ERA this week. Hunter Gaddis (1 SV, 20 HLD, 32:12 K:BB) had 2 HLD. Erik Sabrowski (20 HLD, 50:21 K:BB) took a loss…his relevancy is over.
Colorado Rockies
Jordan Romano (8 SV, 1 HLD, 21:10 K:BB) got the headline privilege this week, but in a backhanded kind of way because I just refuse to accept that his actual redemption arc, which we thought maybe was happening with the Angels, will happen with the Colorado Rockies. Romano collected two more saves this week, striking out three and walking none over two scoreless. I just can’t accept that this will last.
Detroit Tigers
Three different Tigers scored a save this week: Kenley Jansen (12 SV, 1 HLD, 31:17 K:BB), Kyle Finnegan (2 SV, 12 HLD, 36:25 K:BB), and Tyler Holton. Finnegan’s ERA was doo doo but the 4:0 K:BB was nice.
Houston Astros
Just another typical Josh Hader (12 SV, 33:8 K:BB) week with 2 SV, 5 K, and 0 BB. Bennett Sousa (3 HLD, 6:5 K:BB) was activated recently and promptly led the team with 3 HLD this week. Steven Okert (14 HLD, 52:12 K:BB) had two. Bryan King (6 SV, 12 HLD, 36:16 K:BB) also got recalled. Bryan Abreu (6 SV, 6 HLD, 46:28 K:BB) had 1 SV and HLD. Okert is the guy I’m sticking with for now past Hader.
Kansas City Royals
Four saves from Royals this week, split evenly between Alex Lange (10 SV, 1 HLD, 43:23 K:BB) and Steven Cruz (2 SV, 2 HLD, 45:17 K:BB). Lange’s 6:1 K:BB was encouraging, I guess? I’ll just never trust him, simple as that. Daniel Lynch IV (1 SV, 12 HLD, 34:12 K:BB) had 2 HLD in three scoreless. Solid chance he’s dealt. Only RP worth a damn in KC.
Los Angeles Angels
Mitch Farris (1 SV, 1 HLD, 43:18 K:BB) had the only save. Bodes well for my rookie card of his, I reckon. This pen is just awful and not worth anyone’s time.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Tanner Scott (16 SV, 7 HLD, 55:6 K:BB) 2 SV, Brock Stewart (1 SV, 4 HLD, 14:5 K:BB) 1 SV. Jack Dreyer (6 HLD, 47:12 K:BB) and Evan Phillips (2 HLD, 9:1 K:BB) 2 HLD. Too many mouths to feed here. Scott or bust.
Miami Marlins
Not a lot to report here. Still like Michael Petersen (1 SV, 17 HLD, 51:18 K:BB) best in all formats.
Milwaukee Brewers
Trevor Megill (17 SV, 7 HLD, 49:11 K:BB) 2 SV. Abner Uribe (6 SV, 15 HLD, 41:15 K:BB) 1 HLD, Aaron Ashby (9 HLD, 82:30 K:BB) 2 HLD. Obviously Uribe is still the top holds guy even though Ashby beat him this week.
Minnesota Twins
My bois Yoendrys Gomez and Andrew Morris did their thang (1 SV, 1 HLD respectively in the same game). Kind of a dud week, but that’s still a fun stack I have on one team.
New York Mets
Luke Weaver (1 SV, 14 HLD, 43:11 K:BB) had 1 HLD and continues to be the best arm back there. Surely he’s traded.
New York Yankees
David Bednar (20 SV, 49:14 K:BB) 2 SV. Hard to get very excited about anyone else for holds purposes. Too few and far between, which I’ve said of Fernando Cruz (2 SV, 16 HLD, 55:26 K:BB) earlier this season. I bet we see an addition to this crew soon. Maybe a big name…
Philadelphia Phillies
Quiet week for the most part. Duran (24 SV, 53:6 K:BB) and Kerkering (1 SV, 10 HLD, 44:23 K:BB) are the top dogs.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Mason Montgomery (2 SV, 9 HLD, 65:19 K:BB) picked up a save and struck out 7 this week. Definitely a name to keep tabs on. Probably worth a speculative add just in case. Possible that they add a name so Montgomery sees very few saves chances moving forward, but I think I like him more than Soto (13 SV, 7 HLD, 47:18 K:BB) for SVHD at this point.
San Diego Padres
Mason Miller (27 SV, 80:15 K:BB) 2 SV and 5 K. No runs. Will he move is the big question. Yuki Matsui (6 HLD, 43:24 K:BB) got 2 HLD. Remember that crazy hype?
San Francisco Giants
Wooooooooof this pen is another mess I don’t care a lick about.
Seattle Mariners
Andres Munoz (18 SV, 58:15 K:BB) made the most of his one outing, picking up a save and striking out all three batters faced. Eduard Bazardo (20 HLD, 47:14 K:BB) managed a hold but also took a blown save and a loss, cooking your ratios.
St. Louis Cardinals
Riley O’Brien (26 SV, 1 HLD, 44:17 K:BB) also cooked your ratios while managing one save. Blown save and a loss in another outing. I wouldn’t put it past St. Louis to capitalize on his mostly successful breakout season. The wild card spot is slipping away as I type. Would keep an eye on George Soriano (2 SV, 16 HLD, 43:16 K:BB) for fantasy purposes if O’Brien is indeed dealt.
Tampa Bay Rays
Bryan Baker (28 SV, 2 HLD, 43:13 K:BB) had 3 SV in four scoreless. Leads the league in SVHD, in fact. What a waiver boon he’s been! Garrett Cleavinger (2 SV, 18 HLD, 42:14 K:BB) had 2 HLD and 4 K in three scoreless. He’s cruised back into must-own territory in holds formats.
Texas Rangers
Jacob Latz (20 SV, 2 HLD, 49:11 K:BB) and Marco Gonzales had the two Rangers saves this week. Of course, the latter’s was just random fodder. Latz has also been a waiver boon thus far. Tyler Alexander (4 SV, 10 HLD, 39:12 K:BB) had 2 HLD but awful ratios. I still only like Latz here.
Toronto Blue Jays
Louis Varland (21 SV, 5 HLD, 70:13 K:BB) 1 SV, 2 K, 0 BB. Too bad the Blue Jays haven’t afforded him as many opps lately — only 5 SV over the last 30 days. Tyler Rogers (2 SV, 21 HLD, 26:13 K:BB) had 1 HLD and 3 K over two scoreless.
Washington Nationals
Clayton Beeter (10 SV, 5 HLD, 33:20 K:BB) almost got headline status with 2 SV this week. They came on back-to-back days, too. Not the first time I’ve said this this year: add him. If you’re in a situation where you’re adding him, you’re probably no worse off if things don’t work out.
That’s all for this week! Thanks for reading. Leave me a comment below so I feel all warm and fuzzy.
Find me on Bluesky: @jkj0787.bsky.social, where I serve up daily bullpen recaps to my loyal tens of followers.
Whom do you like *more better* (sic), Grant Taylor or Wells? Saves and Holds as separate categories 6×6
Depends on team need there. Wells for saves, Taylor more for holds but some saves.