We have created a convenient glossary page<\/a>. If a stat name is linked, click\/tap it to see, in a new tab, the definition of that stat.<\/p>\n Click\/tap here to see the ranking method.<\/a><\/p>\n League averages for September:<\/p>\n AL \u2014 3.69 ERA<\/a>, 1.225 WHIP<\/a>, 2.8 HR%<\/a>, 14.1 K\u2013BB%<\/a>, 72.2 ScOtg% (ER)<\/a>, 2.9 GE\/BE<\/a>, 1.4 GE<\/a>, 35.4 IS%<\/a>. Detroit Tigers Toronto Blue Jays Los Angeles Dodgers Arizona Diamondbacks Angel Zerpa<\/a><\/strong>, Kansas City Royals<\/p>\n A major reason for the Royals\u2019 surge to the playoffs was relief pitching, and Zerpa played a key role. He did not allow a run of any type \u2014 earned, unearned, or inherited \u2014 in any of his seven appearances, stranding six inherited runners in the process. Facing 24 batters across 6 2\/3 innings, he struck out eight, walked one, and allowed three hits. His WHIP for the month was 0.600 along with 0.0 HR% (obviously) and a 29.2 K\u2013BB% (33.3 K%, 4.2 BB%).<\/p>\n Joel Payamps<\/a><\/strong>, Milwaukee Brewers<\/p>\n After spending much of the season as a setup man \u2014 and winning Sport Relay<\/em>\u2019s NL Setup Man of the Month for August \u2014 Payamps was used more as a middle reliever than a setup man in September. In the process, Payamps went and won the Sport Relay <\/em>NL Middle Reliever of the Month for September.<\/p>\n Payamps did not allow an earned run in any of his 10 September appearances, also stranding the only runner he inherited all month. He faced 30 batters over 8 1\/3 innings, striking out 11, walking two, and allowing two hits. His rate stats came out to 0.600 WHIP, 0.0 HR% (obviously), and 26.7 K\u2013BB% (36.7 K%, 10.0 BB%).<\/p>\n Tyler Holton<\/a><\/strong>, Detroit Tigers<\/p>\n Holton was 6\u20130 in GE\u2013BE across his nine September appearances, preventing opponents from scoring an earned run 100% of the time and stranding all four runners he inherited. His performance contributed greatly to the Tigers\u2019 improbably run to the playoffs. He tossed four innings and faced 41 batters, striking out 11, walking two, and allowing four hits. This gave him a 0.500 WHIP, an obvious 0.0 HR%, and a 22.0 K\u2013BB% (26.8 K%, 4.9 BB%).<\/p>\n Dennis Santana<\/a><\/strong>, Pittsburgh Pirates<\/p>\n Santana made 12 appearances in September, tallying eight GE and no BE. He tossed 12 1\/3 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits. Of the 46 batters he faced, 11 struck out and four walked. He inherited three runners and stranded them all. His September WHIP was 0.649, along with a 0.0 HR% and 15.2 K\u2013BB% (23.9 K%, 8.7 BB%).<\/p>\n Emmanuel Clase<\/a><\/strong>, Cleveland Guardians<\/p>\n Clase was the definition of lights out in September, earning his third Closer of the Month award for the 2024 season (May, July). He had 11 September appearances and did not allow any runner of any type \u2014 earned, unearned, or inherited \u2014 to score. Clase was also clutch, converting all eight Goose Egg opportunities. He tossed 11 innings and faced 38 batters \u2014 only five more than the minimum. Of the 38, 11 struck out, two walked, and four cracked a hit. This gave him a September WHIP of 0.545 and a 23.7 K\u2013BB% (28.9 K%, 5.3 BB%).<\/p>\n Devin Williams<\/a><\/strong>, Milwaukee Brewers<\/p>\n On July 28, Williams returned from a back stress fracture injury suffered in spring training. He got off to a great start by finishing fifth among NL closers in August. In September, he did even better. He was 6\u20130 in GE\u2013BE during his 10 September appearances, posting a perfect 100.0 ScOtg%. Williams faced 37 batters across 10 innings, striking out 18, walking three, and allowing four hits. This gave him a 0.700 WHIP and a 40.5 K\u2013BB% (48.6 K%, 8.1 BB%).<\/p>\n These next two are odd, given that the Biggest Plunge AL reliever and AL Setup Man of the month from August became the Most Improved and Biggest Plunge for September. However, that\u2019s the life of a reliever sometimes. As Rockies manager Bud Black<\/a><\/strong> would say, \u201cThat\u2019s baseball.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Taylor Saucedo, Seattle Mariners Middle Reliever<\/p>\n Saucedo had a nightmarish August <link to August Awards>. 7 G, 42.9 ScOtg% (3-for-7), 3 2\/3 IP, 21 TBF, 6 ER, 8 H, 0 K, 2 BB, 2.727 WHIP, \u20139.5 K\u2013BB% (0.0 K%, 9.5 BB%), 83.3 IS% (5-of-6), \u2013105.2 Pts.<\/p>\n September was the polar opposite. He had a 100.0 ScOtg% in nine appearances, although he did have an 18.2 IS% (2-of-11; still far better than league average). Facing 20 batters across 5 2\/3 innings, he struck out six, walked one, and allowed three hits. A 0.706 WHIP and 25.0 K\u2013BB% (30.0 K%, 5.0 BB%) topped it off. It gave him 52.1 points in September, seventh among AL middle relievers and an improvement of 157.3 points over August.<\/p>\n Griffin Jax<\/a><\/strong>, Minnesota Twins Setup Man<\/p>\n Jax was a puzzle the American League could not solve in August, but they figured him out in September. His August line: 13 G, 100.0 ScOtg%, 10\u20130 GE\u2013BE, 12 1\/3 IP, 43 TBF, 0 ER, 6 H, 17 K, 0 BB, 0.486 WHIP, 39.5 K\u2013BB% (39.5 K%, 0.0 BB%), 0.0 IS% (0-of-2), 208.6 points. With a point total that high in August, he was bound to come down in September, but we did not expect this.<\/p>\n In 11 appearances, Jax had a 7\u20133 GE\u2013BE tally, 2.3 GE\/BE. He had a 72.7 ScOtg% (7-of-11) and a 25.0 IS% (2-of-8). Facing 50 hitters across 12 1\/3 innings, he allowed five earned runs on 11 hits (including a homer), striking out 18 and walking three. His 1.135 WHIP and 30.0 K\u2013BB% (36.0 K%, 6.0 BB%) were still very good, and a 2.0 HR% is still better than average, but the three Broken Eggs contributed heavily to his 62.5 total points, a 146.1-point drop from August.<\/p>\n Alexis Diaz, Cincinnati Reds Closer<\/p>\n Diaz had a dreadful August, only holding opponents without an earned run in 6-of-11 appearances (63.6 ScOtg%). He lasted nine innings in those 11 appearances, facing 39 batters. Diaz allowed seven earned runs on nine hits, four of which were homers. He struck out 11 and walked three. This gave him a 1.333 WHIP, 10.3 HR%, 20.5 K\u2013BB% (28.2 K%, 7.7 BB%), and \u201339.1 points.<\/p>\n Fast forward to September, where Diaz had a 100.0 ScOtg% in nine appearances, tallying six GE and no BE. In nine innings, he faced 33 batters, striking out eight, walking three, and allowing two hits. He had a 0.556 WHIP, 0.0 HR%, 15.2 K\u2013BB% (24.2 K%, 9.1 BB%), and 109.1 points \u2014 a 148.1-point improvement over August.<\/p>\n Justin Martinez<\/a><\/strong>, Arizona Diamondbacks Closer<\/p>\n Martinez played a key role in the Diamondbacks\u2019 success in August as well as their slipup in September. August saw him post a 78.6 ScOtg% (11-of-14) and tally nine GE versus one BE. He tossed 14 1\/3 innings and faced 63 batters, allowing three earned runs on 12 hits (including one homer), striking out 24 and walking seven. It gave him a 1.326 WHIP, 1.6 HR%, 27.0 K\u2013BB% (38.1 K%, 11.1 BB%), and 128.7 points \u2014 number four among NL closers.<\/p>\n September gave Martinez trouble. He held opponents scoreless in six of his eleven appearances (54.5 ScOtg%), going 2\u20132 in GE\u2013BE. Despite not allowing a homer, he allowed six earned runs on 14 hits across 12 innings. Martinez faced 55 batters, striking out 16 and walking six. He had a 1.667 WHIP, 60.0 IS% (3-of-5), and 18.2 K\u2013BB% (29.1 K%, 10.9 BB%). His point total in September fell 154.4 points from August, dropping to \u201325.7.<\/p>\n 1. Los Angeles Dodgers<\/strong><\/a> (101.6, 1st in NL) <\/strong>\u25b2 +10 from August<\/strong> 2. Detroit Tigers<\/strong><\/a> (64.0, 1st in AL)<\/strong> \u25b2 +13 from August<\/strong> 3. Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/a> (63.6, 2nd in AL)<\/strong> \u25b2 +25 from August<\/strong> 4. Milwaukee Brewers<\/strong><\/a> (47.2, 2nd in NL)<\/strong> \u25b2 +9 from August<\/strong> 5. Cleveland Guardians<\/strong><\/a> (35.0, 3rd in AL) <\/strong>\u25b2 +9 from August 6. San Diego Padres<\/strong><\/a> (34.7, 3rd in NL)<\/strong> \u25b2 +11 from August<\/strong> 7. St Louis Cardinals<\/strong><\/a> (25.0, 4th in NL)<\/strong> \u25b2 +19 from August<\/strong> 8. Boston Red Sox<\/strong><\/a> (18.3, 4th in AL)<\/strong> \u25b2 +17 from August<\/strong> 9. Seattle Mariners<\/strong><\/a> (11.7, 5th in AL)<\/strong> \u25b2 +18 from August<\/strong> 10. San Francisco Giants<\/strong><\/a> (8.1, 5th in NL)<\/strong> \u25bc \u20139 from August<\/strong> 11. Philadelphia Phillies<\/strong><\/a> (7.6, 6th in NL) <\/strong>\u25bc \u20136 from August<\/strong> 12. Pittsburgh Pirates<\/strong><\/a> (6.2, 7th in NL)<\/strong> \u25b2 +17 from August<\/strong> 13. New York Yankees<\/strong><\/a> (4.1, 6th in AL)<\/strong> \u25b2 +5 from August<\/strong> 14. Oakland Athletics<\/strong><\/a> (1.6, 7th in AL)<\/strong> \u25bc \u20136 from August<\/strong> 15. Atlanta Braves<\/strong><\/a> (0.4, 8th in NL)<\/strong> \u25b2 +4 from August<\/strong> 16. Houston Astros<\/strong><\/a> (0.0, 8th in AL)<\/strong> \u25bc \u20136 from August<\/strong> 17. Cincinnati Reds<\/strong><\/a> (\u20130.2, 9th in NL) <\/strong>\u25b2 +7 from August<\/strong> 18. Minnesota Twins<\/strong><\/a> (\u20131.2, 9th in AL)<\/strong> \u25bc \u201316 from August<\/strong> 19. Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong><\/a> (\u20132.7, 10th in AL)<\/strong> \u25bc \u201310 from August<\/strong> 20. Colorado Rockies<\/strong><\/a> (\u20133.6, 10th in NL)<\/strong> no change from August<\/strong> 21. New York Mets<\/strong><\/a> (\u20137.5, 11th in NL)<\/strong> \u25b2 +2 from August<\/strong> 22. Texas Rangers<\/strong><\/a> (\u201310.6, 11th in AL)<\/strong> \u25bc \u201318 from August<\/strong> 23. Miami Marlins<\/strong><\/a> (\u201312.2, 12th in NL)<\/strong> \u25bc \u20132 from August<\/strong> 24. Los Angeles Angels<\/strong><\/a> (\u201315.0, 12th in AL) <\/strong>\u25bc \u201312 from August<\/strong> 25. Chicago White Sox<\/strong><\/a> (\u201316.3, 13th in AL) <\/strong>\u25b2 +5 from August<\/strong> 26. Washington Nationals<\/strong><\/a> (\u201318.4, 13th in NL)<\/strong> \u25bc \u201310 from August<\/strong> 27. Baltimore Orioles<\/strong><\/a> (\u201319.4, 14th in AL) <\/strong>\u25bc \u20135 from August<\/strong> 28. Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/a> (\u201322.4, 14th in NL)<\/strong> \u25bc \u201322 from August<\/strong> 29. Toronto Blue Jays<\/strong><\/a> (\u201341.9, 15th in AL) <\/strong>\u25bc \u201326 from August<\/strong> 30. Arizona Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/a> (\u201342.6, 15th in NL) <\/strong>\u25bc \u201323 from August<\/strong>
\nNL \u2014 4.03 ERA, 1.260 WHIP, 2.7 HR%, 14.1 K\u2013BB%, 72.4 ScOtg% (ER), 3.1 GE\/BE, 1.5 GE, 35.9 IS%.<\/p>\nSport Relay Team Reliever and Bullpen Awards, September 2024<\/h3>\n
![\"Bullpen](\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/E13-06-\u2014-September-AL-Team-Stats-1024x224.png\")
<\/a>![\"Bullpen](\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/E13-07-\u2014-September-NL-Team-Stats-1024x237.png\")
<\/a>Relief Corps of the Month (AL), September<\/h4>\n
\n8.3 GE\/BE (33\u20134), 73.3 ScOtg%, 0.988 WHIP, 2.0 HR%, 15.8 K\u2013BB%<\/p>\nShakiest Relief Corps of the Month (AL), September<\/h4>\n
\n0.9 GE\/BE (9\u201310), 65.2 ScOtg%, 1.406 WHIP, 3.2 HR%, 10.2 K\u2013BB%<\/p>\nRelief Corps of the Month (NL), September<\/h4>\n
\n15.0 GE\/BE (15\u20131), 70.0 ScOtg%, 1.207 WHIP, 2.2 HR%, 14.5 K\u2013BB%<\/p>\nShakiest Relief Corps of the Month (NL), September<\/h4>\n
\n1.0 GE\/BE (4\u20134), 65.5 ScOtg%, 1.490 WHIP, 4.1 HR%, 16.7 K\u2013BB%<\/p>\nSport Relay Individual Reliever and Bullpen Awards, September 2024<\/h3>\n
AL Middle Reliever of the Month, September<\/h4>\n
NL Middle Reliever of the Month, September<\/h4>\n
AL Setup Man of the Month, September<\/h4>\n
NL Setup Man of the Month, September<\/h4>\n
AL Closer of the Month, September<\/h4>\n
NL Closer of the Month, September<\/h4>\n
Most Improved, AL, September<\/h4>\n
Biggest Plunge, AL, September<\/h4>\n
Most Improved, NL, September<\/h4>\n
Biggest Plunge, NL, September<\/h4>\n
Sport Relay Team Reliever and Bullpen Rankings, September 2024<\/h3>\n
![\"Bullpen](\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/E13-01-\u2014-September-Team-Overall-1024x323.png\")
<\/a>The Outlier<\/h4>\n
\n207.5 Clutch, \u20136.8 Run Prevention, 5.7 Baserunners, \u20136.1 Command<\/em><\/p>\nThe Elite<\/h4>\n
\n116.0 Clutch, 11.2 Run Prevention, 21.1 Baserunners, 0.1 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n106.5 Clutch, 18.2 Run Prevention, 20.8 Baserunners, 37.7 Command<\/em><\/p>\nBetter Take an Early Lead\u2026<\/h4>\n
\n77.6 Clutch, 12.7 Run Prevention, 24.7 Baserunners, 28.8 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>39.2 Clutch, 31.4 Run Prevention, 25.3 Baserunners, 38.3 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n56.5 Clutch, 18.2 Run Prevention, 7.1 Baserunners, \u201313.7 Command<\/em><\/p>\nThe Very Good<\/h4>\n
\n45.3 Clutch, 5.4 Run Prevention, \u20131.0 Baserunners, 10.9 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n39.0 Clutch, 2.2 Run Prevention, \u20138.3 Baserunners, \u201322.9 Command<\/em><\/p>\nThe Good<\/h4>\n
\n12.7 Clutch, 7.2 Run Prevention, 13.7 Baserunners, 28.1 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n17.4 Clutch, \u20130.7 Run Prevention, 5.4 Baserunners, \u201316.8 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n17.4 Clutch, \u20131.6 Run Prevention, 0.0 Baserunners, \u201310.2 Command<\/em><\/p>\nSlightly above Average<\/h4>\n
\n17.4 Clutch, \u20131.8 Run Prevention, 2.9 Baserunners, \u201342.7 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n7.8 Clutch, \u20134.3 Run Prevention, 0.6 Baserunners, 31.1 Command<\/em><\/p>\nThe Average<\/h4>\n
\n5.7 Clutch, \u20130.5 Run Prevention, \u20132.5 Baserunners, \u201316.6 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201320.5 Clutch, 19.5 Run Prevention, 9.2 Baserunners, 57.6 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n6.4 Clutch, \u201310.0 Run Prevention, \u201313.1 Baserunners, 32.3 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n14.3 Clutch, \u201316.5 Run Prevention, \u201316.3 Baserunners, 0.8 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n2.0 Clutch, \u20137.1 Run Prevention, \u20136.6 Baserunners, 19.8 Command<\/em><\/p>\nSlightly below Average<\/h4>\n
\n19.9 Clutch, 25.2 Run Prevention, 16.4 Baserunners, 23.3 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u20132.2 Clutch, \u20130.2 Run Prevention, \u201315.9 Baserunners, \u201317.4 Command<\/em><\/p>\nLots of Work to Do<\/h4>\n
\n\u201320.5 Clutch, \u20131.4 Run Prevention, 10.6 Baserunners, 44.3 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u20132.0 Clutch, \u201321.3 Run Prevention, \u201311.8 Baserunners, \u201320.4 Command<\/em><\/p>\nStock Up on Tums<\/h4>\n
\n\u201323.1 Clutch, \u20135.0 Run Prevention, 9.1 Baserunners, 4.3 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201322.2 Clutch, \u20130.9 Run Prevention, \u201314.3 Baserunners, \u201342.9 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201326.5 Clutch, 0.4 Run Prevention, \u201313.5 Baserunners, \u201338.0 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201327.6 Clutch, \u20139.0 Run Prevention, \u20139.1 Baserunners, \u201310.4 Command<\/em><\/p>\nPray for a Blowout Win<\/h4>\n
\n\u201328.0 Clutch, \u20139.9 Run Prevention, \u201315.3 Baserunners, \u20137.4 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201337.1 Clutch, \u20135.1 Run Prevention, \u20139.3 Baserunners, \u201322.1 Command<\/em><\/p>\nThe Negative Outliers<\/h4>\n
\n\u201367.7 Clutch, \u201313.8 Run Prevention, \u201314.5 Baserunners, \u201335.0 Command<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\u201373.9 Clutch, \u201310.2 Run Prevention, \u201325.1 Baserunners, 8.3 Command<\/em><\/p>\nTeam Category Boards<\/h4>\n
![\"Bullpen](\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/E13-02-\u2014-September-Team-Clutch-1024x264.png\")
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<\/a>![\"Bullpen](\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/E13-04-\u2014-September-Team-Baserunner-Prevention-1024x307.png\")
<\/a>![\"Bullpen](\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/E13-05-\u2014-September-Team-Command.png\")
<\/a>Sport Relay Individual Reliever and Bullpen Rankings, September 2024<\/h3>\n
Top Ten Lists<\/h4>\n
![\"Bullpen](\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/E13-10-\u2014-September-AL-Middle-Men-Leaderboard-300x239.png\")
<\/a>![\"Bullpen](\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/E13-13-\u2014-September-NL-Middle-Men-Leaderboard-300x242.png\")
<\/a>![\"Bullpen](\"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/E13-09-\u2014-September-AL-Setup-Men-Leaderboard-300x242.png\")
<\/a>