{"id":21403,"date":"2026-08-14T18:19:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T01:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=21403"},"modified":"2026-08-14T20:37:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T03:37:47","slug":"reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-week-19-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2026\/08\/14\/reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-week-19-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"Reliever Roundup & Bullpen Bonanza: Week 19 Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reliever Roundup & Bullpen Bonanza, Week 19 Rankings<\/h2>\n

Welcome to Reliever Roundup and Bullpen Bonanza! These analyses and rankings take it to a different level than the other reliever rankings and coverage you\u2019ve seen. We will separate our rankings by closers, setup men, and middle relievers. (We aren\u2019t going to worry about ranking long relievers; instead, we\u2019ll lump them in with the middle relievers.)<\/p>\n

For reference, at the end of play on August 12, the league-wide AL ERA was 4.15. This is for every pitch thrown by any player from an American League team. For the National League \u2014 over the same span and within the same parameters \u2014 it was 4.19. As for the rest of the stats, statistics are up to the end of play on<\/strong> Wednesday, August 12 <\/strong>unless otherwise noted, are for relief appearances only, and exclude position pitchers.<\/p>\n

To the reader: we use some statistics you do might not recognize. To help you out, we have a glossary page<\/a>. Furthermore, 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:<\/h5>\n

AL \u2014 1.327 WHIP<\/a>, 2.8 HR%<\/a>, 12.8 K\u2013BB%<\/a>, 70.7 ScOtg% (ER)<\/a>, 2.8 GE\/BE<\/a>, 3.6 GE<\/a>, 31.3 IS%<\/a>.
\nNL \u2014 1.317 WHIP, 2.8 HR%, 12.5 K\u2013BB%, 70.7 ScOtg% (ER), 3.1 GE\/BE, 3.4 GE, 32.2 IS%.<\/p>\n

Away we go!<\/p>\n

Deadbolt Delivered<\/h4>\n

First, we will honor the relief units that slammed the door and threw away the key. Here are the updated totals for Door Slams!<\/p>\n

To get a Door Slam, a team must close out the game with at least three consecutive Goose Eggs. This string must be completely uninterrupted \u2014 there cannot be any Broken Eggs in there, there cannot be any Mehs in there, and there can\u2019t be any situation where the score differential is such that the pitcher doesn\u2019t get any of the three. It must be Goose Egg-Goose Egg-Goose Egg. Bang, bang, bang. At least three in a row.<\/p>\n

Why is this important?<\/em><\/strong> If a team gets a door slam, they completely shut the opponent down<\/em> en route to a narrow victory. When the last outs are on the line, it\u2019s lockdown only. The Door Slam celebrates those nights when the back end doesn\u2019t merely protect the lead \u2014 it shuts the door, throws the deadbolt, and walks away with the key.<\/p>\n

Door Slam Summary<\/h5>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Door Slams by team, through Week 19. A Door Slam is defined as a game that ends with a team getting three or more consecutive Goose Eggs without interruption of any kind. Statistics run through the end of play on Aug 12.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
<\/h5>\n
Door Slam Totals<\/h5>\n

Here is the list of each team\u2019s Door Slam totals at the end of Week 19. At this point, every team had played between 119 and 122 games. As you can see from the numbers here, Door Slams are not easy to get and are not common. They aren\u2019t un<\/em>-common \u2014 we typically get at least one per day \u2014 but they aren\u2019t common<\/em>, either.<\/p>\n

The leaders in all of Major League Baseball at the end of play on Wednesday, August 12, were the Cincinnati Reds, with 12. In second place were the Milwaukee Brewers, with 11. The Atlanta Braves stood alone in third with nine. Five teams had eight each: the Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, and Toronto Blue Jays. Seven teams had seven Goose Eggs each: the Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, St Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers. An additional three had six door slams each: the Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals, and Minnesota Twins.<\/p>\n

Four teams had five door slams each: the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, and San Diego Padres. Two teams had four each: the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies. The Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and Tampa Bay Rays had three each. A single team had two door slams \u2014 the Washington Nationals. Finally, two teams still had one each: the Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants.<\/p>\n

In summary, over the first 19 weeks of the season, there were 180 total Door Slams league\u2011wide. The Reds led the pack with 12 followed by the Brewers with 11. In a three-way tie, the Red Sox, Mariners, and Blue Jays led the American League with eight each. Splitting it up by league, the National League had 94 Door Slams; the American League had 86.<\/p>\n

Week 19 Team Relief Corps Power Rankings<\/h4>\n

These rankings include every pitch thrown in relief by a player wearing their team\u2019s uniform \u2014 excluding position players \u2014 through the end of play on August 12. This table shows the scoring breakdown. Teams are ranked in Clutch, Run Prevention, Baserunner Prevention, and Command, weighted as shown. The final score determines the ranking. Zero means right at league average. Positive is better than average, negative is below average. A score of 100 means the team is 100% better than league average; a score of 50 is 50% better; a score of -50 is 50% lower, and so on. Each whole number equals one percentage point.<\/p>\n

As for the numbers or letters in parentheses, the first number is the team\u2019s overall score. The second is that team\u2019s change in ranking since Week 18. \u201cN.C.\u201d means \u201cno change.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/h5>\n
Pray for a Blowout Win:<\/h5>\n

30. San Francisco Giants<\/strong><\/a> (-20.2, -1)
\n29. Washington Nationals<\/strong><\/a> (-15.1, +1)
\n28. Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/a> (-11.2, -1)<\/p>\n

Stock Up on Tums:<\/h5>\n

27. Detroit Tigers<\/strong><\/a> (-9.4, +1)
\n26. Colorado Rockies<\/strong><\/a> (-4.7, -1)
\n25. Athletics<\/strong><\/a> (-2.7, -3)
\n24. Los Angeles Angels<\/strong><\/a> (-1.5, +2)<\/p>\n

Lots of Work to Do:<\/h5>\n

23. Texas Rangers<\/strong><\/a> (-0.8, +1)
\n22. St. Louis Cardinals<\/strong><\/a> (-0.1, +1)<\/p>\n

Below Average:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

21. Minnesota Twins<\/strong><\/a> (4.1, N.C.)
\n20. Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/a> (4.4, N.C.)
\n19. Philadelphia Phillies<\/strong><\/a> (4.8, N.C.)<\/p>\n

Slightly Below Average:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

18. Baltimore Orioles<\/strong><\/a> (9.6, -1)
\n17. Cincinnati Reds<\/strong><\/a> (10.0, +1)<\/p>\n

Slightly Above Average:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

16. Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong><\/a> (11.7, N.C.)
\n15. Pittsburgh Pirates<\/strong><\/a> (12.9, N.C.)<\/p>\n

Above Average:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

14. Cleveland Guardians<\/strong><\/a> (15.1, -1)
\n13. Chicago White Sox<\/strong><\/a> (15.8, +1)
\n12. Arizona Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/a> (16.4, -3)
\n11. New York Mets<\/strong><\/a> (17.7, +1)<\/p>\n

The Decent:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

10.\u202fNew York Yankees<\/strong><\/a> (19.1, N.C.)
\n9.\u202fBoston Red Sox<\/strong><\/a> (20.0, -7)
\n<\/strong>8.\u202fSeattle Mariners<\/strong><\/a> (20.2, -4)<\/p>\n

The Good:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

7. Milwaukee Brewers<\/strong><\/a> (22.1, +4)
\n6. Atlanta Braves<\/strong><\/a> (22.2, N.C.)<\/p>\n

The Very Good:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

5.\u202fMiami Marlins<\/strong><\/a> (24.1, N.C.)
\n4. Houston Astros<\/strong><\/a> (24.9, +4)<\/p>\n

Better Take an Early Lead:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

3. Toronto Blue Jays<\/strong><\/a> (27.2, +4)
\n2.\u202fLos Angeles Dodgers<\/strong><\/a> (29.0, +1)<\/p>\n

The Elite:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

1.\u202fSan Diego Padres<\/strong><\/a> (33.1, N.C.)<\/p>\n

Biggest Gains:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays (+4)
\nLos Angeles Angels (+2)<\/p>\n

Biggest Plunges:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Boston Red Sox (-7)
\nSeattle Mariners (-4)
\nAthletics, Arizona Diamondbacks (-3)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look at this week\u2019s Scatter Plot.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Through end of play Aug 12. Chart, rankings, and ranking methods created by Evan M. Thompson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And the line graph of every team\u2019s rankings in the season so far, week by week.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Through end of play Aug 12. Chart, rankings, and ranking methods created by Evan M. Thompson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Week 19 Individual Reliever Power Rankings<\/h4>\n

Statistics include every regular-season game up through the end of play on August 12. To qualify for the rankings, there is a minimum of 24 relief appearances<\/strong>, and for the GE\/BE-plus statistic, which forms 2\/3 of the \u201cClutch\u201d category we use to rate setup men and closers, there is a minimum of 12 GE+BE<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A note on the roles: if a team is using Co-Closers, we list both as closers. If it is \u201cCloser by Committee,\u201d we list all members of that committee as setup men.<\/p>\n

Also of note: since the Trade Deadline has passed, there are several players in the leaderboards who have played on more than one team. Their scores are based on their combined totals for the whole season.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

AL Middle\/Long Relievers<\/strong><\/h5>\n

10. Gabe Speier<\/a><\/strong> (SEA) \u2014 13.4
\n9. Erik Sabrowski<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 14.3
\n8. Chase Silseth<\/a><\/strong> (LAA\/TEX) \u2014 15.4
\n7. Jovani Mor\u00e1n<\/a><\/strong> (BOS) \u2014 18.3
\n6. Drew Sommers<\/a><\/strong> (DET) \u2014 21.9
\n5. Huascar Brazob\u00e1n<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/CHW) \u2014 28.3
\n4. A.J. Minter<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/MIN) \u2014 28.4
\n3. Tyler Wells<\/a><\/strong> (BAL\/TB) \u2014 30.0
\n2. Tyron Guerrero<\/a><\/strong> (BOS) \u2014 33.1
\n1. Cam Booser<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 36.6\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

NL Middle\/Long Relievers<\/strong><\/h5>\n

10. Bradgley Rodriguez<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 10.9
\n9. Tyler Zuber<\/a><\/strong> (MIA) \u2014 12.8
\n8. Taylor Clarke<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 13.9
\n7. Ryan Rolison<\/a><\/strong> (CHC) \u2014 15.1
\n6. Jonathan Lo\u00e1isiga (ARI) \u2014 15.5
\n5. Edgardo Henriquez<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 18.8
\n4. John King<\/a><\/strong> (MIA) \u2014 20.2
\n3. Jack Dreyer<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 20.7
\n2. Brooks Raley<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/PHL) \u2014 28.6
\n1. Dylan Dodd<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 29.7<\/p>\n

AL Setup Men<\/strong><\/h5>\n

10. Andrew Morris<\/a><\/strong> (MIN) \u2014 66.0
\n9. Garrett Cleavinger<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 69.5
\n8. Jeff Hoffman<\/a><\/strong> (TOR\/MIN) \u2014 80.2
\n7. Hunter Gaddis<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 85.3
\n6. Bryan Abreu<\/a><\/strong> (HOU) \u2014 85.4
\n5. Sean Newcomb<\/a><\/strong> (CHW) \u2014 88.6
\n4. Kevin Kelly<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 106.5
\n3. Brent Headrick<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 114.5
\n2. Tyler Rogers<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 167.4
\n1. Steven Okert<\/a><\/strong> (HOU) \u2014 197.8<\/p>\n

NL Setup Men<\/strong><\/h5>\n

10. Aaron Ashby<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 84.0
\n9. Dylan Lee<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 109.9
\n8. Juan Morillo<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 114.4
\n7. Alex Vesia<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 124.5
\n6. Mason Montgomery<\/a><\/strong> (PIT) \u2014 126.4
\n5. Abner Uribe<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 138.0
\n4. Gregory Soto<\/a><\/strong> (PIT) \u2014 147.2
\n3. Adri\u00e1n Morej\u00f3n<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 170.3
\n2. Brock Burke<\/a><\/strong> (CIN) \u2014 188.5
\n1. Luke Weaver<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/PIT) \u2014 303.7<\/p>\n

AL Closers<\/strong><\/h5>\n

\u200bWe\u2019ll include #6 and #7, since they also broke 100.<\/p>\n

7. Jacob Latz<\/a><\/strong> (TEX) \u2014 126.9
\n6. Bryan Baker<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 128.5
\n5. Louis Varland<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 147.5
\n4. Grant Taylor<\/a><\/strong> (CHW) \u2014 171.1
\n3. David Bednar<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 171.3
\n2. Cade Smith<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 181.5
\n1. Josh Hader<\/a><\/strong> (HOU) \u2014 300.4<\/p>\n

NL Closers<\/strong><\/h5>\n

\u200bWe\u2019ll include #6 since he also broke 100.<\/p>\n

\u200b6. Jacob Webb<\/a><\/strong> (CHC) \u2014 116.6
\n5. Jhoan Duran<\/a><\/strong> (PHL) \u2014 117.8
\n4. Tanner Scott<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 156.4
\n3. Trevor Megill<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 157.3
\n2. Riley O\u2019Brien<\/strong><\/a> (STL) \u2014 157.9
\n1. Mason Miller<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 358.1<\/p>\n

League Averages<\/strong><\/h5>\n

AL \u2014 1.327 WHIP<\/a>, 2.8 HR%<\/a>, 12.8 K\u2013BB%<\/a>, 70.7 ScOtg% (ER)<\/a>, 2.8 GE\/BE<\/a>, 3.6 GE<\/a>, 31.3 IS%<\/a>.
\nNL \u2014 1.317 WHIP, 2.8 HR%, 12.5 K\u2013BB%, 70.7 ScOtg% (ER), 3.1 GE\/BE, 3.4 GE, 32.2 IS%.<\/p>\n

Week 19 in Detail<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Team Statistics<\/h5>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Week 19 Team Ranking Totals, complete with Category Scores. Through end of play Aug 12. Excludes position pitchers. All rankings only include each reliever’s stats with said team. (Table and rankings methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 19 Team Clutch Totals and Scores. Through end of play Aug 12. Excludes position pitchers. All rankings only include each reliever’s stats with said team. (Table and rankings methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 19 Meh Penalties. Through end of play Aug 12. Excludes position pitchers. All rankings only include each reliever’s stats with said team. (Table and rankings methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 19 Team Run Prevention Totals and Scores. Through end of play Aug 12. Excludes position pitchers. All rankings only include each reliever’s stats with said team. (Table and rankings methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 19 Team Baserunner Prevention Totals and Scores. Through end of play Aug 12. Excludes position pitchers. All rankings only include each reliever’s stats with said team. (Table and rankings methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 19 Team Command Totals and Scores. Through end of play Aug 12. Excludes position pitchers. All rankings only include each reliever’s stats with said team. (Table and rankings methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Individual Statistics<\/h5>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Week 19 AL Middle and Long Reliever Top Ten. Through end of play Aug 12. Minimum 24 games in relief. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 19 NL Middle and Long Reliever Top Ten. Through end of play Aug 12. Minimum 24 games in relief. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 19 AL Setup Man Top Ten. Through end of play Aug 12. Minimum 24 games in relief and 12 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 19 NL Setup Man Top Ten. Through end of play Aug 12. Minimum 24 games in relief and 12 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 19 AL Closers Top Five, plus six and seven. Through end of play Aug 12. Minimum 24 games in relief and 12 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 19 NL Closers Top Five, plus number six. Through end of play Aug 12. Minimum 24 games in relief and 12 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Main Photo:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>