{"id":21557,"date":"2026-08-21T14:54:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T21:54:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=21557"},"modified":"2026-08-21T14:54:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T21:54:42","slug":"reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-week-20-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2026\/08\/21\/reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-week-20-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"Reliever Roundup & Bullpen Bonanza: Week 20 Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reliever Roundup & Bullpen Bonanza, Week 20 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

As a bonus, we’ve included the August-only team stats and rankings. Those rankings cover all games played in August 2026, up to the end of play on the 19th.<\/p>\n

For reference, at the end of play on August 19, the full-season league-wide AL ERA was 4.16. 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 4.18. As for the rest of the stats, statistics are up to the end of play on<\/strong> Wednesday, August 19 <\/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 1.322 WHIP<\/a>, 2.8 HR%<\/a>, 12.9 K\u2013BB%<\/a>, 70.8 ScOtg% (ER)<\/a>, 2.8 GE\/BE<\/a>, 3.6 GE<\/a>, 31.0 IS%<\/a>.
\nNL \u2014 1.315 WHIP, 2.7 HR%, 12.7 K\u2013BB%, 70.7 ScOtg% (ER), 3.1 GE\/BE, 3.5 GE, 32.5 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 20. 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 19.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Door Slam Totals<\/h5>\n

Here is the list of each team\u2019s Door Slam totals at the end of Week 20. At this point, the Pirates had played 129 games, and the White Sox, Yankees, Rays, and Giants had each played 126 games. The other 25 teams had played either 127 or 128 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 19, were the Cincinnati Reds, with 12. In second place were the Milwaukee Brewers, with 11. The Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and Seattle Mariners were tied for third with nine each. Five teams had eight each: the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, and Toronto Blue Jays. Another five teams had seven Goose Eggs each: the Athletics, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, and Pittsburgh Pirates. One team \u2014 the Cleveland Guardians \u2014 had six Door Slams.<\/p>\n

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

Summary<\/h6>\n

In summary, over the first 20 weeks of the season, there were 193 total Door Slams league\u2011wide. The Reds led the pack with 12, followed by the Brewers with 11. In the American League, the Astros and Mariners tied for the lead with nine each. Splitting it up by league, the National League had 98 Door Slams; the American League had 95.<\/p>\n

Week 20 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 19. 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 19. \u201cN.C.\u201d means \u201cno change.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

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

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

30. San Francisco Giants<\/strong><\/a> (-18.8, N.C.)
\n29. Washington Nationals<\/strong><\/a> (-14.6, N.C.)
\n28. Detroit Tigers<\/strong><\/a> (-11.4, -1)
\n27. Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/a> (-10.3, +1)<\/p>\n

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

26. Colorado Rockies<\/strong><\/a> (-4.9, N.C.)
\n25. Athletics<\/strong><\/a> (-3.0, N.C.)
\n24. Los Angeles Angels<\/strong><\/a> (-1.1, N.C.)
\n23. Texas Rangers<\/strong><\/a> (-1.0, N.C.)<\/p>\n

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

22. St. Louis Cardinals<\/strong><\/a> (1.1, +1)
\n21. Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/a> (2.9, -1)<\/p>\n

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

20. Philadelphia Phillies<\/strong><\/a> (5.9, -1)
\n19. Minnesota Twins<\/strong><\/a> (7.2, +2)
\n18. Baltimore Orioles<\/strong><\/a> (7.3, N.C.)<\/p>\n

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

17. Cincinnati Reds<\/strong><\/a> (9.7, N.C.)
\n16. Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong><\/a> (11.2, N.C.)<\/p>\n

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

15. Pittsburgh Pirates<\/strong><\/a> (12.4, N.C.)
\n14. Chicago White Sox<\/strong><\/a> (12.5, -1)<\/p>\n

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

13. Cleveland Guardians<\/strong><\/a> (14.6, +1)
\n12. Arizona Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/a> (15.5, N.C.)
\n11. Atlanta Braves<\/strong><\/a> (16.5, -5)<\/p>\n

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

10.\u202fBoston Red Sox<\/strong><\/a> (20.0, -1)
\n<\/strong>9.\u202fMiami Marlins<\/strong><\/a> (20.9, -4)
\n8.\u202fNew York Yankees<\/strong><\/a> (21.4, +2)<\/p>\n

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

7. Milwaukee Brewers<\/strong><\/a> (23.1, N.C.)
\n6.\u202fSeattle Mariners<\/strong><\/a> (23.400, rounded to 23.4; +2)
\n5. Houston Astros<\/strong><\/a> (23.403, rounded to 23.4; -1)
\n4. New York Mets<\/strong><\/a> (23.6, +7)<\/p>\n

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

3. Toronto Blue Jays<\/strong><\/a> (28.3, N.C.)
\n2.\u202fLos Angeles Dodgers<\/strong><\/a> (29.1, N.C.)<\/p>\n

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

1.\u202fSan Diego Padres<\/strong><\/a> (33.7, N.C.)<\/p>\n

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

New York Mets (+7)
\nMinnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners (+2)<\/p>\n

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

Atlanta Braves (-5)
\nMiami Marlins (-4)<\/p>\n

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

\"\"<\/a>
Through end of play Aug 19. 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 19. Chart, rankings, and ranking methods created by Evan M. Thompson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Week 20 Individual Reliever Power Rankings<\/h4>\n

Statistics include every regular-season game up through the end of play on August 19. To qualify for the rankings, there is a minimum of 25 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

<Insert the two graphics used in the RRBB show that lay out the individual scoring breakdowns><\/p>\n

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

10. Jovani Mor\u00e1n<\/a><\/strong> (BOS) \u2014 12.2
\n9. Mason Fluharty<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 13.4
\n8. Gabe Speier<\/a><\/strong> (SEA) \u2014 14.8
\n7. Michael Rucker<\/a><\/strong> (SEA) \u2014 14.9
\n6. Erik Sabrowski<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 17.8
\n5. Paul Sewald<\/a><\/strong> (ARI\/TOR) \u2014 18.6
\n4. Huascar Brazob\u00e1n<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/CHW) \u2014 20.3
\n3. Drew Sommers<\/a><\/strong> (DET) \u2014 28.3
\n2. A.J. Minter<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/MIN) \u2014 29.4
\n1. Cam Booser<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 35.3<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n
NL Middle\/Long Relievers<\/strong><\/h5>\n

10. Taylor Clarke<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 10.8
\n9. Bradgley Rodriguez<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 12.2
\n8. Tejay Antone<\/a><\/strong> (CIN) \u2014 13.4
\n7. Tyler Zuber<\/a><\/strong> (MIA) \u2014 14.5
\n6. Alex Vesia<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 17.0
\n5. Jeremiah Estrada<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 18.8
\n4. Michael Petersen<\/a><\/strong> (MIA) \u2014 20.6
\n3. Jack Dreyer<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 21.8
\n2. Dylan Dodd<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 25.5
\n1. Brooks Raley<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/PHL) \u2014 27.8<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n
AL Setup Men<\/strong><\/h5>\n

10. Bryan Abreu<\/a><\/strong> (HOU) \u2014 74.9
\n9. Hunter Gaddis<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 85.1
\n8. Jeff Hoffman<\/a><\/strong> (TOR\/MIN) \u2014 89.1
\n7. Brent Headrick<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 102.4
\n6. Sean Newcomb<\/a><\/strong> (CHW) \u2014 106.8
\n5. Bryan Hudson<\/a><\/strong> (CHW) \u2014 108.8
\n4. Kevin Kelly<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 111.5
\n3. Grant Taylor<\/a><\/strong> (CHW) \u2014 176.9
\n2. Tyler Rogers<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 180.8
\n1. Steven Okert<\/a><\/strong> (HOU) \u2014 226.6<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n
NL Setup Men<\/strong><\/h5>\n

10. Didier Fuentes<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 62.3
\n9. Brandyn Garcia<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 68.2
\n8. Ryne Stanek<\/a><\/strong> (STL) \u2014 75.7
\n7. Aaron Ashby<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 89.2
\n6. Dylan Lee<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 100.4
\n5. Juan Morillo<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 117.6
\n4. Brock Burke<\/a><\/strong> (CIN) \u2014 126.3
\n3. Gregory Soto<\/a><\/strong> (PIT) \u2014 145.0
\n2. Adri\u00e1n Morej\u00f3n<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 171.2
\n1. Luke Weaver<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/PIT) \u2014 300.2<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n
AL Closers<\/strong><\/h5>\n

\u200b<\/strong>We\u2019ll include #6-#9, since all of them also broke 100.<\/p>\n

9. Aroldis Chapman<\/a><\/strong> (BOS) \u2014 103.1
\n8. Yoendrys G\u00f3mez<\/a><\/strong> (MIN) \u2014 107.3
\n7. Andr\u00e9s Mu\u00f1oz<\/a><\/strong> (SEA) \u2014 107.5
\n6. Jacob Latz<\/a><\/strong> (TEX) \u2014 137.1
\n5. Bryan Baker<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 147.3
\n4. Louis Varland<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 151.9
\n3. Cade Smith<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 179.5
\n2. David Bednar<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 193.2
\n1. Josh Hader<\/a><\/strong> (HOU) \u2014 327.1<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\u200b<\/strong>We\u2019ll include #6-#8, since all of them also broke 100.<\/p>\n

\u200b8. Emilio Pag\u00e1n<\/a><\/strong> (CIN) \u2014 108.2
\n\u200b7. Jhoan Duran<\/a><\/strong> (PHL) \u2014 120.2
\n\u200b6. Jacob Webb<\/a><\/strong> (CHC) \u2014 120.4
\n\u200b5. Mason Montgomery<\/a><\/strong> (PIT) \u2014 127.0
\n4. Trevor Megill<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 161.1
\n3. Riley O\u2019Brien<\/strong><\/a> (STL) \u2014 162.2
\n2. Tanner Scott<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 176.5
\n1. Mason Miller<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 354.8<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n
League Averages<\/strong><\/h5>\n

AL \u2014 1.322 WHIP<\/a>, 2.8 HR%<\/a>, 12.9 K\u2013BB%<\/a>, 70.8 ScOtg% (ER)<\/a>, 2.8 GE\/BE<\/a>, 3.6 GE<\/a>, 31.0 IS%<\/a>.
\nNL \u2014 1.315 WHIP, 2.7 HR%, 12.7 K\u2013BB%, 70.7 ScOtg% (ER), 3.1 GE\/BE, 3.5 GE, 32.5 IS%.<\/p>\n

Week 20 in Detail<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Team Stats<\/h5>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Week 20 Team Ranking Totals, complete with Category Scores. Through end of play Aug 19. 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 20 Team Clutch Totals and Scores. Through end of play Aug 19. 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 20 Meh Penalties. Through end of play Aug 19. 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 20 Team Run Prevention Totals and Scores. Through end of play Aug 19. 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 20 Team Baserunner Prevention Totals and Scores. Through end of play Aug 19. 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 20 Team Command Totals and Scores. Through end of play Aug 19. 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

Individual Stats<\/h5>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Week 20 AL Middle and Long Reliever Top Ten. Through end of play Aug 19. Minimum 25 games in relief. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 20 NL Middle and Long Reliever Top Ten. Through end of play Aug 19. Minimum 25 games in relief. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 20 AL Setup Man Top Ten. Through end of play Aug 19. Minimum 25 games in relief and 12 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 20 NL Setup Man Top Ten. Through end of play Aug 19. Minimum 25 games in relief and 12 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 20 AL Closers Top Five, plus six through nine. Through end of play Aug 19. Minimum 25 games in relief and 12 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 20 NL Closers Top Five, plus six through eight. Through end of play Aug 19. Minimum 25 games in relief and 12 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

August Updates<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Team Ranking Totals, complete with Category Scores, August 1 through end of play August 19. 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>
Team Clutch Totals and Scores, August 1 through end of play August 19. 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>
Meh Penalties, August1 through end of play August 19. 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>
Team Run Prevention Totals and Scores, August 1 through end of play August 19. 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>
Team Baserunner Prevention Totals and Scores, August 1 through end of play August 19. 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>
Team Command Totals and Scores, August 1 through end of play August 19. 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

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

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>