Context<\/h4>\n
To avoid confusion, here is some vital info for context. A Goose Egg inning is seventh inning or later, maximum two-run lead or a tie game. Holding the opponent scoreless yields a Goose Egg (GE); allowing an earned run while not closing out a win gives a Broken Egg (BE). Doing neither yields a Meh (M). When listed together, it is either in the format GE\u2013BE\u2013M or GE\u2013BE. GE\/BE = GE per BE.<\/p>\n
Additionally, here are league averages for the main statistics.<\/p>\n
AL \u2014 1.253 WHIP, 2.8 HR%, 14.4 K\u2013BB%, 72.9% Scoreless Outing Percentage (ScOtg%), 3.5 GE\/BE.
\nNL \u2014 1.302 WHIP, 2.6 HR%, 13.1 K\u2013BB%, 70.9 ScOtg%, 3.0 GE\/BE.
\nThese scoreless outing percentages only count a run against a pitcher if it is an earned run.
\nK\u2013BB% = Strikeout percentage minus walk percentage.<\/p>\n
Now, before we get into the rankings, let\u2019s hand out the awards!<\/p>\n
Sport Relay Team Reliever and Bullpen Awards, March & April 2024<\/h3>\nRelief Corps of the Month (AL), March\/April<\/h4>\n
Oakland Athletics
\n6.0 GE\/BE (24\u20134), 75.3 ScOtg%, 1.047 WHIP, 1.5 HR%, 18.1 K\u2013BB%<\/p>\n
Shakiest Relief Corps of the Month (AL), March\/April<\/h4>\n
Los Angeles Angels
\n2.2 GE\/BE (13\u20136), 66.7 ScOtg%, 1.393 WHIP, 3.5 HR%, 10.0 K\u2013BB%<\/p>\n
Relief Corps of the Month (NL), March\/April<\/h4>\n
New York Mets
\n6.0 GE\/BE (24\u20134), 77.1 ScOtg%, 1.111 WHIP, 1.5 HR%, 20.0 K\u2013BB%<\/p>\n
Shakiest Relief Corps of the Month (NL), March\/April<\/h4>\n
Miami Marlins
\n1.3 GE\/BE (10\u20138), 65.7 ScOtg%, 1.516 WHIP, 2.1 HR%, 11.4 K\u2013BB%<\/p>\n
Sport Relay Individual Reliever and Bullpen Awards, March & April 2024<\/h3>\nAL Middle Reliever of the Month, March\/April<\/h4>\n
Justin Slaten<\/a><\/strong>, Boston Red Sox Reed Garrett<\/a><\/strong>, New York Mets Brock Stewart<\/a><\/strong>, Minnesota Twins JoJo Romero<\/a><\/strong>, St. Louis Cardinals Kirby Yates<\/a><\/strong>, Texas Rangers Kyle Finnegan<\/a><\/strong>, Washington Nationals Mason Miller<\/a><\/strong>, Oakland Athletics Closer Miller was a starter when the Athletics called him up in 2023. The fireballer (100-mph guaranteed) made six starts before going on the injured list with a strained UCL. When he returned, the Athletics made him their closer, and it has worked out splendidly. Miller made 11 appearances in April, putting up a zero on the scoreboard in 10 of them. He was a perfect 8\u20130\u20130 in Goose Egg innings and had an 0.825 WHIP. Most impressive, however, were his strikeouts. In 13 1\/3 innings, he has faced 51 batters. Of the 51, 28 struck out \u2014 a mind-boggling 54.9%. He has only walked four, making for a 47.1 K\u2013BB%. That isn\u2019t even fair.<\/p>\n David Bednar<\/a><\/strong>, Pittsburgh Pirates Closer Rankings are split into the following categories. These categories encompass what a relief pitcher\u2019s jobs are<\/a> and are weighted according to importance. We don\u2019t want to get bogged down, so we\u2019ll keep it brief. (Author\u2019s Note: For full details, leave a comment and I\u2019ll be glad to get back to you.)<\/em><\/p>\n Clutch<\/strong> (45% of score) \u2014 How well they perform in late innings either while the game is tied or while holding a narrow lead. Run Prevention (60%), Baserunner Prevention (26%), Command (14%)<\/p>\n The total score in each category is based on the league average. Zero points equals the league average. Positive scores are better than league average; negative scores are worse. The farther their score is from zero \u2014 either positive or negative \u2014 the farther they are from the league average. (Note: Due to weighting each score, adding the four categories together won\u2019t equal the total score.)<\/em><\/p>\n For a full breakdown of each category\u2019s score formula, click here<\/a>. We will begin with the team rankings.<\/p>\n 1. New York Mets<\/strong><\/a> (44.7, First in NL) 4. San Diego Padres<\/strong><\/a> (27.70109, rounded to 27.7, Second in NL) 8. St Louis Cardinals<\/strong><\/a> (19.6, Fourth in NL) 12. Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/a> (5.4, Seventh in AL) 14. San Francisco Giants<\/strong><\/a> (1.9, Seventh in NL) 18. Philadelphia Phillies<\/strong><\/a> (\u20132.4, 10th in NL) 22. Cincinnati Reds<\/strong><\/a> (\u20137.1, 11th in NL) 24. Baltimore Orioles<\/strong><\/a> (\u201311.5, 12th in AL) 27. Houston Astros<\/strong><\/a> (\u201324.1, 13th in AL) For clutch, we will use both the Goose Egg total (33%) and the ratio of Goose Eggs to Broken Eggs (67%) due to the major flaws in Saves and Holds. Full details about Goose Eggs are here<\/a>. Otherwise, here\u2019s the elevator speech.<\/p>\n A Goose Egg is like a save, except more restrictive. Here are the main points…<\/p>\n For run prevention, we will use a mixture of the Scoreless Outing Percentage (Earned Runs only), Inherited Runners Scored Percentage (IS%), and ERA-minus. ScOtg% is 75% of the score, IS% is 15%, and ERA-minus is 10%.<\/p>\n Back to the rankings.<\/a><\/p>\n Week 4 Individual Rankings<\/a>, Week 5 Individual Rankings<\/a>.<\/p>\n The main photo is a mosaic of the following images.<\/p>\n Top row, L to R:<\/p>\n
\nSlaten made 10 relief appearances in April, holding opponents scoreless in nine of them. Additionally, he had a 0.577 WHIP, a 20.0 K\u2013BB%, and did not allow a home run.<\/p>\nNL Middle Reliever of the Month, March\/April<\/h4>\n
\nGarrett did not allow an earned run in eight of his nine April appearances (88.9%). He added a 0.957 WHIP, a 34.4 K\u2013BB%, and stranded all five baserunners he inherited.<\/p>\nAL Setup Man of the Month, March\/April<\/h4>\n
\nNo runner crossed the plate with Brock Stewart on the mound during the entire month. He was a perfect 12-for-12 in scoreless outings and stranded all three of his inherited runners. In Goose Egg innings, he was a perfect 8\u20130\u20130. Throw in a 1.054 WHIP, no home runs allowed, and a 22.9 K\u2013BB%? You have a lights-out setup man and the AL Setup Man of the month.<\/p>\nNL Setup Man of the Month, March\/April<\/h4>\n
\nThe Cardinals struggled through March and April (14\u201316), but JoJo Romero did not. He was 6\u20130\u20130 in Goose Egg innings and held opponents scoreless in 12 of his 14 appearances (85.7%). In addition, he had a 26.9 K\u2013BB% and an eye-popping 0.545 WHIP.<\/p>\nAL Closer of the Month, March\/April<\/h4>\n
\nThe AL had a few stellar closers in April, but Yates was the best of them all. He was a perfect 11-for-11 in scoreless outings, 11\u20130\u20130 in Goose Egg innings, and stranded all six inherited runners. Additionally, he had a 26.2 K\u2013BB% and 0.500 WHIP.<\/p>\nNL Closer of the Month, March\/April<\/h4>\n
\nDespite a higher-than-average home run percentage (4.3%), Kyle Finnegan was the NL Closer of the Month for April. He had a 0.973 WHIP, was 12-for-13 in scoreless outings (earned runs only, 92.3%), and \u2014 most importantly \u2014 was 9\u20131\u20131 in Goose Egg innings for a 9.0 GE\/BE ratio.<\/p>\nBiggest Positive Surprise, March\/April<\/h4>\n
\nInitially, Craig Kimbrel<\/a><\/strong> of the Baltimore Orioles was in the running for this with his \u201cHey, what a bounceback!\u201d start to the season. But in the last few games, he came crashing back to Earth, so this award goes to Mason Miller.<\/p>\nBiggest Negative Surprise, March\/April<\/h4>\n
\nBednar spent the entire 2023 season at or near the top of the NL Closer leaderboard. For the first month of 2024, however, he has been at the very bottom. He had more appearances (12) than innings pitched (10), something that is never good for a closer. Only half of his appearances were scoreless, well below average<\/em> (70.9% for the NL) and miles away from a top closer. His WHIP (1.600) is 300 points higher than the league average. Goose Egg innings? 2\u20134\u20130, a ratio of 0.5 Goose Eggs to Broken Eggs. His home run percentage is also concerning: a whopping 6.0%.<\/p>\nSport Relay Reliever and Bullpen Rankings, March & April 2024<\/h3>\n
Brief Rankings Explanation<\/h4>\n
Team Rankings, Setup Men, and Closers<\/h5>\n
\nRun Prevention<\/strong> (35%) \u2014 How well they keep runs off the board, including inherited runners.
\nBaserunner Prevention<\/strong> (13%) \u2014 Who has the lowest WHIP and lowest home run percentage (HR%). WHIP is 85% of the Baserunner Prevention score, and HR% is 15%.
\nCommand<\/strong> (7%) \u2014 Who has the best strikeout percentage minus walk percentage (K\u2013BB%).<\/p>\nMiddle Relievers<\/h5>\n
Totaling Up the Scores<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/05\/20240504-01-\u2014-Team-Board-1024x327.png\")
<\/a>Team Reliever and Bullpen Rankings, March & April 2024<\/h3>\n
The Elites<\/h4>\n
\n<\/strong>72.3 Clutch, 11.5 Run Prevention, 19.2 Baserunners, 52.9 Command
\n<\/em>2. Oakland Athletics<\/strong><\/a> (32.3, First in AL)
\n<\/strong>50.2 Clutch, 10.5 Run Prevention, 19.3 Baserunners, 31.9 Command
\n<\/em>3. Detroit Tigers<\/strong><\/a> (30.8, Second in AL)
\n<\/strong>53.6 Clutch, 8.6 Run Prevention, 12.2 Baserunners, -4.9 Command<\/em><\/p>\nBetter Take an Early Lead\u2026<\/h4>\n
\n<\/strong>53.3 Clutch, 1.3 Run Prevention, 4.1 Baserunners, 3.1 Command
\n<\/em>5. Cleveland Guardians<\/strong><\/a> (27.66957, rounded to 27.7, Third in AL)
\n<\/strong>34.2 Clutch, 17.1 Run Prevention, 19.8 Baserunners, 52.2 Command
\n<\/em>6. New York Yankees<\/strong><\/a> (25.8, Fourth in AL)
\n<\/strong>48.3 Clutch, 3.7 Run Prevention, 14.3 Baserunners, -21.8 Command
\n<\/em>7. Milwaukee Brewers<\/strong><\/a> (25.6, Third in NL)
\n<\/strong>45.7 Clutch, 6.0 Run Prevention, 4.4 Baserunners, 3.7 Command<\/em><\/p>\nThe Very Good<\/h4>\n
\n<\/strong>33.6 Clutch, 2.2 Run Prevention, 2.6 Baserunners, 35.6 Command
\n<\/em>9. Seattle Mariners<\/strong><\/a> (18.2, Fifth in AL)
\n<\/strong>21.8 Clutch, 11.2 Run Prevention, 17.3 Baserunners, 33.0 Command
\n<\/em>10. Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/a> (17.4, Fifth in NL)
\n<\/strong>39.4 Clutch, -3.3 Run Prevention, -1.3 Baserunners, -20.1 Command
\n<\/em>11. Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong><\/a> (15.4, Sixth in AL)
\n<\/strong>44.2 Clutch, -8.7 Run Prevention, -20.5 Baserunners, -33.6 Command<\/em><\/p>\nSlightly above Average<\/h4>\n
\n<\/strong>4.8 Clutch, 15.3 Run Prevention, -3.4 Baserunners, -41.0 Command
\n<\/em>13. Washington Nationals<\/strong><\/a> (2.4, Sixth in NL)
\n<\/strong>5.8 Clutch, 1.4 Run Prevention, -6.2 Baserunners, -7.7 Command<\/em><\/p>\nThe Average<\/h4>\n
\n<\/strong>14.8 Clutch, -13.0 Run Prevention, -6.2 Baserunners, -7.6 Command
\n<\/em>15. Atlanta Braves<\/strong><\/a> (1.8, Eighth in NL)
\n<\/strong>-9.7 Clutch, 12.3 Run Prevention, 8.5 Baserunners, 30.1 Command
\n<\/em>16. Los Angeles Dodgers<\/strong><\/a> (\u20130.5, Ninth in NL)
\n<\/strong>-3.8 Clutch, 0.9 Run Prevention, 10.4 Baserunners, 1.7 Command
\n<\/em>17. Texas Rangers<\/strong><\/a> (\u20132.1, Eighth in AL)
\n<\/strong>-3.3 Clutch, -1.7 Run Prevention, 0.6 Baserunners, 2.7 Command<\/em><\/p>\nSlightly Below Average<\/h4>\n
\n<\/strong>1.5 Clutch, -8.8 Run Prevention, -8.7 Baserunners, 15.4 Command
\n<\/em>19. Minnesota Twins<\/strong><\/a> (\u20133.8, Ninth in AL)
\n<\/strong>-11.9 Clutch, -2.9 Run Prevention, 6.8 Baserunners, 49.8 Command
\n<\/em>20. Boston Red Sox<\/strong><\/a> (\u20135.1, 10th in AL)
\n<\/strong>-11.9 Clutch, -1.0 Run Prevention, 3.1 Baserunners, 18.6 Command
\n<\/em>21. Toronto Blue Jays<\/strong><\/a> (\u20135.3, 11th in AL)
\n<\/strong>0.2 Clutch, -7.3 Run Prevention, -16.8 Baserunners, -22.9 Command<\/em><\/p>\nLots of Work to Do<\/h4>\n
\n<\/strong>-23.1 Clutch, 11.6 Run Prevention, 0.7 Baserunners, 6.5 Command
\n<\/em>23. Pittsburgh Pirates<\/strong><\/a> (\u20137.5, 12th in NL)
\n<\/strong>-18.9 Clutch, 3.3 Run Prevention, 2.6 Baserunners, 10.2 Command<\/em><\/p>\nStock Up on Tums<\/h4>\n
\n<\/strong>-28.4 Clutch, 1.3 Run Prevention, 4.1 Baserunners, 35.5 Command
\n<\/em>25. Colorado Rockies<\/strong><\/a> (\u201312.1, 13th in NL)
\n<\/strong>-8.9 Clutch, -9.3 Run Prevention, -18.3 Baserunners, -52.1 Command
\n<\/em>26. Arizona Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/a> (\u201318.9, 14th in NL)
\n<\/strong>-26.6 Clutch, -9.4 Run Prevention, -0.3 Baserunners, -45.2 Command<\/em><\/p>\nPray for a Blowout Win<\/h4>\n
\n<\/strong>-41.3 Clutch, -4.6 Run Prevention, -15.0 Baserunners, -7.9 Command
\n<\/em>28. Chicago White Sox<\/strong><\/a> (\u201327.2, 14th in AL)
\n<\/strong>-36.2 Clutch, -13.3 Run Prevention, -23.7 Baserunners, -42.4 Command
\n<\/em>29. Los Angeles Angels<\/strong><\/a> (\u201327.5, 15th in AL)
\n<\/strong>-39.5 Clutch, -13.6 Run Prevention, -16.0 Baserunners, -26.8 Command
\n<\/em>30. Miami Marlins<\/strong><\/a> (\u201332.2, 15th in NL)
\n<\/strong>-55.9 Clutch, -7.3 Run Prevention, -10.3 Baserunners, -13.1 Command<\/em><\/p>\nCategory Boards<\/h4>\n
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<\/a>Sport Relay Individual Reliever and Bullpen Rankings, March & April 2024<\/h3>\n
Top Ten\/Top Five Lists<\/h4>\n
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<\/a>Full Leaderboards<\/h4>\n
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<\/a>Full Score Explanation<\/h3>\n
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Also See:<\/h4>\n
Main Photo:<\/h4>\n