What’s poppin’, Razzpimples?
Bullpen recap time!
Don’t forget to keep that Razzball Bullpen Chart bookmarked. It’s been updated with the latest, and I’m usually quick to get it touched up once any type of news drops. And if you’re not a subscriber, I do highly, highly, highly recommend it. The tools are — how do you say? — bussin’. If’n you’re of the mind to consider it, you can find all the info here. I’m partial to the Relievonator Game Log Tool. Truly a godsend for my nerdy backside.
Welp. Let’s do it to it, pardner.
Note: All stats and Player Rater values are accurate through Monday’s games.
Player Rater Top 20 (5×5 Standard)
Player Rater Top 20 (6×6 w/ Holds)
2025 Leaders
Weekly Leaders
Weekly Losers
Weekly Notes:
Arizona Diamondbacks:
Shelby Miller and former Reds flash in the pan starlet Anthony DeSclafani each had 1 SV. Of course, the latter’s was random as hell…that pard’s fantasy relevancy rode into the sunset long ago. Miller also earned a BS+L. Interesting split on his week: 9.07 FIP but -0.17 SIERA. Struck out 6 in just 2.1 IP, and the whiffs were delicious. Really has been one of the better relievers all year and remains a higher-end asset ROS as long as he’s healthy. Cuz the rest of the bullpen ain’t, nor is it very good. Martinez and Puk are done for the year, and I foresee no one at all to dethrone Miller as closer.
Athletics of Sacramento?:
Mason Miller blew his only save chance. Happy happy joy joy.
Atlanta Braves:
Dylan Lee gets headline honors this week after 1 SV and 1 HLD with 5 K and tasty metrics. I’ve liked him all season. Said before the year even started he would probably become the top setup man, and now he’s just the top reliever overall. He’s most valuable in SVHD since the Braves are doing annoying things from a fantasy POV, and I do expect Raisel Iglesias (1 W, 1 HLD, 1 K) to get back to closing eventually.
Baltimore Orioles:
Felix Bautista 2 SV, 5 K. Vintage stuff this week. Four dudes had 2 HLD, and that’s the kind of stuff that drives a bullpen writer up the wall: Bryan Baker, Keegan Akin, Seranthony Dominguez, and Gregory Soto. Cano got demoted to AAA, and Andrew Kittredge seems to be falling down the depth chart fast…I like Soto and Baker best. I can’t believe I’m saying I like Gregory Soto, but dude has been locked in so far in 2025. I’ve added him in a league, so I’m sure that means his second half will look like his Tigers days.
Boston Red Sox:
Aroldis Chapman 1 SV, 1 HLD, 3 K. Looked filthy. Greg Weissert 1 SV, 1 HLD, 1 BS, 1 L, 0 K. Of course shiz hit the fan the very day I added him. Garrett Whitlock 2 HLD, 1 L, 4 K. Weissert doesn’t blow me away, but Cora seems to love him in high leverage cuz that dude is pumping out SVHD like no one else lately. For realsies. Leads all RP with 6 SVHD over the last two weeks.
Chicago Cubs:
Daniel Palencia 1 SV, 2 K. Wasn’t super sharp, but was sharp enough. Job’s his until it ain’t. Brad Keller 1 W, 1 HLD, 4 K. Ryan Pressly had positive mojo for a while but stunk it up this week: 1 BS with busted ratios.
Chicago White Sox:
Grant Taylor 1 SV, 1 HLD, 2 K. Only 6 IP to his name, but they’ve been mostly good ones. Triple-digit heat with good control. Depending how hard up for saves you are, he’s worth a gander.
Cincinnati Reds:
Emilio Pagan 2 SV, 1 BS, 7 K. Not a bad week, all things considered. Tony Santillan 3 HLD, 5 K.
Cleveland Guardians:
Emmanuel Clase had one of those weeks we’re used to seeing: 4 SV, 3 K, 0.00 ERA. Did come with a 1.75 WHIP, though. Matt Festa and Cade Smith each had 3 HLD. Smith pumped out 6 K. Hunter Gaddis and Tim Herrin each had 2 HLD. Vintage Guardians bullpen week.
Colorado Rockies:
Seth Halvorsen 2 SV, 1 BS, 1 L, 3 K. Overall, his numbers/metrics were great. Tyler Kinley, Jake Bird, and Juan Mejia 2 HLD apiece. Bird K’d 4 and looked more like the guy he’s been all year.
Detroit Tigers:
Chase Lee was the SVHD leader (2) for Detroit this week (both holds). Tommy Kahnle 1 HLD, 3 K. Will Vest no decisions but 3 K in a scoreless inning of work.
Houston Astros:
Josh Hader 1 W, 1 SV, 1 L, 5 K. Came back down to earth a tad after an impressive run of complete and utter dominance. Bennett Sousa 1 SV, 2 K. He’s not getting many SVHD, but that dude has had one of the best starts to 2025 of anyone. Missed all of 2024 and most of 2023, but now he’s back as one of the best southpaws around. Depending on format, you might have room to squeeze him in as a ratio stabilizer with good K who might get an odd W or SVHD. Bryan Abreu 1 HLD, 7 K. Super nasty shiz this week. Bryan King 1 HLD, 1 BS, 4 K.
Kansas City Royals:
Carlos Estevez 3 SV, 0 K. Angel Zerpa of all folks led with 3 HLD…Lucas Erceg 1 W, 1 HLD, 2 BS, 3 K. Don’t forget, he’s not far removed from an IL trip. Wonder if something’s lingering or if the heat’s just getting to him.
Los Angeles Angels:
Kenley Jansen 1 SV, 1 K. Ryan Zeferjahn 1 HLD, 1 BS, 3 K. Reid Detmers no decisions but 5 K in 2.2 IP. Superb swing-and-miss stuff.
Los Angeles Dodgers:
After an annoying Dave Roberts week of three saves to three different guys, it was Tanner Scott getting both saves this week. Anthony Banda and Michael Kopech had 2 HLD. Kirby Yates struggled and only recorded a single out but managed to snag a hold.
Miami Marlins:
Ronny Henriquez 1 SV, 1 HLD, 3 K. Calvin Faucher 1 HLD, 2 K. Sadly, no saves, but you can be encouraged by 24.1 SwStr% and 37.9 CSW%.
Milwaukee Brewers:
Trevor Megill 2 SV, 3 K. Climbing the saves leaderboard. Walks and barrels have been less than ideal, but health permitting he should challenge for the league lead in saves ROS. Jared Koenig 2 HLD. Abner Uribe 1 HLD, 1 K.
Minnesota Twins:
Dang, not a single SVHD from Minnesota.
New York Mets:
Only 1 HLD for the Mets, and it was from Huascar Brazoban. He also took a loss. Edwin Diaz looked great in 2 IP at least.
New York Yankees:
Devin Williams 1 SV, 4 K, bloody red metrics on my screen as I type this. Looking like the guy the Yankees thought they were getting. Luke Weaver took an L…I could see Airbender pulling ahead as sole closer sooner rather than later. It’s what he’s paid to do. Jonathan Loaisiga and Mark Leiter Jr. each with 1 HLD, combining for 5 K. Fernando Cruz 1 W, 1 L, 5 K.
Philadelphia Phillies:
Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm split the saves in Philly, with Kerkering also snagging a hold. Strahm had the better stuff, for what it’s worth, but this looks like a fun co-closer situation at best. I’m not sure Jordan Romano is worth rostering unless it’s a deeper setup.
Pittsburgh Pirates:
David Bednar 1 W, 1 SV, 5 K. Continuing to cook since new life after a minors stint.
San Diego Padres:
Robert Suarez 1 W, 1 L, 0 K. Lots of bad in a row, but I don’t think his job is in trouble just yet. His pedigree as a closer in Japan and MLB will give him a long leash methinks. Jeremiah Estrada 2 HLD, 1 L, 2 K. He’s been pretty meh or flat out bad for over a month. Time to consider a replacement. Jason Adam took an L and didn’t help your ratios; however, he did strike out 7 and the metrics loved what he did. Yuki Matsui got the only save, a random one. He’s not even relevant in a Padres-only league.
Seattle Mariners:
Andres Munoz didn’t get a save chance but at least cooked in his only inning of work, striking out 2. Matt Brash and Gabe Speier each with 1 HLD. Brash didn’t have his best stuff but got the job done.
San Francisco Giants:
Camilo Doval 2 SV, 3 K. Strike metrics were sexy. Tyler Rogers and Randy Rodriguez each with 2 HLD, combining for 7 K (5 from Rodriguez). Can’t tell y’all how happy I am Rodriguez is getting high leverage work and still cooking. My favorite thing about being a bullpen nerd is seeing who the random, formerly no-name breakouts will be.
St. Louis Cardinals:
Phil Maton 1 W, 2 HLD, 5 K. He’s not exactly a no-name (to us bullpen nerds), but the 2025 breakout is real. Maton is legit. Ryan Helsley 1 SV, 2 K. Andre Granillo is getting a little love across the bullpen landscape after 1 W and 1 SV. I need to see more to be on the hype train.
Tampa Bay Rays:
No SVHD from Tampa. Garrett Cleavinger took a loss, striking out 4. Overall been a stellar year from that guy.
Texas Rangers:
Chris Martin 1 SV, 1 HLD, 2 K. Been a Martin truther for years. He’s just gotta be healthy. Hoby Milner 2 HLD, 5 K. Milner always gets on my radar at some point during a given season but never manages to do enough to stay on it.
Toronto Blue Jays:
Brendon Little is another no-name breakout so far in 2025: 1 HLD, 1 L this week, but had great strike-throwing stuff that led to 5 K in 2.1 IP. Yariel Rodriguez 1 HLD, 3 K, nasty metrics as well. He’s been great in the pen, but with Yimi Garcia rehabbing, I’m not sure how long his time in the sun can last.
Washington Nationals:
Brad Lord is another who’s on the verge of breaking out…1 HLD and 4 K this week. Up to 6 HLD and 17 K with both ERA and WHIP below 1.00 over the last month. Jose Ferrer 1 HLD, 1 BS, 1 L, 3 K. No save opps for Kyle Finnegan but he pitched well enough in 1.2 IP.
That’s all for this week! Thanks for reading. Leave me a comment below so I feel all warm and fuzzy.
Odds are quite good I was drinking either black coffee, dark beer, or some form of bourbon while writing what you just read. In the daylight hours, I’m a high school English teacher. I have completely left X/Twitter, so you can find me on Bluesky: @jkj0787.bsky.social, where I serve up daily bullpen recaps to my loyal tens of followers.
