{"id":21670,"date":"2026-08-28T18:21:46","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T01:21:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=21670"},"modified":"2026-08-28T18:21:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T01:21:46","slug":"reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-week-21-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2026\/08\/28\/reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-week-21-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"Reliever Roundup & Bullpen Bonanza: Week 21 Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reliever Roundup & Bullpen Bonanza, Week 21 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 26, 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 4.17. As for the rest of the stats, statistics are up to the end of play on<\/strong> Wednesday, August 26 <\/strong>unless otherwise noted, are for relief appearances only<\/strong>, and exclude position pitchers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

To the reader: we use some statistics you 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 1.319 WHIP<\/a>, 2.8 HR%<\/a>, 13.0 K\u2013BB%<\/a>, 70.8 ScOtg% (ER)<\/a>, 2.8 GE\/BE<\/a>, 3.8 GE<\/a>, 30.7 IS%<\/a>.
\nNL \u2014 1.316 WHIP, 2.7 HR%, 12.6 K\u2013BB%, 70.8 ScOtg% (ER), 3.0 GE\/BE, 3.6 GE, 32.4 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 Table<\/h5>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Door Slams by team, through Week 21. 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 26.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Door Slam Totals<\/h5>\n

Here is the list of each team\u2019s Door Slam totals at the end of Week 21. At this point, the Pirates and Nationals had played 135 games, and the Yankees had played 132 games. The other 27 teams had played either 134 or 133 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 26, were the Cincinnati Reds, with 12. In second place were the Milwaukee Brewers, with 11. The Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers were tied for third with ten each. Seven teams had nine each: the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers. Four teams had eight Goose Eggs each: the Athletics, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, and Toronto Blue Jays. Three teams had seven each: the Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals, and Minnesota Twins. One team \u2014 the New York Yankees \u2014 had six Door Slams.<\/p>\n

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

Door Slam Summary<\/h5>\n

In summary, over the first 21 weeks of the season, there were 205 total Door Slams league\u2011wide. The Reds led the pack with 12, followed by the Brewers with 11. Five teams were tied for the American League lead with nine each: the Red Sox, White Sox, Astros, Mariners, and Rangers. Splitting it up by league, the National League had 103 Door Slams; the American League had 102.<\/p>\n

Week 21 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 26. 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 20. \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> (-19.4, N.C.)
\n29. Washington Nationals<\/strong><\/a> (-16.2, N.C.)
\n28. Detroit Tigers<\/strong><\/a> (-12.3, -1)
\n27. Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/a> (-9.6, +1)<\/p>\n

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

26. Colorado Rockies<\/strong><\/a> (-3.9, N.C.)
\n25. Los Angeles Angels<\/strong><\/a> (-2.2, -1)
\n24. St. Louis Cardinals<\/strong><\/a> (-1.5, -2)
\n23. Athletics<\/strong><\/a> (-0.7, +2)<\/p>\n

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

22. Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/a> (1.3, -1)
\n21. Texas Rangers<\/strong><\/a> (-1.6, +2)<\/p>\n

Below Average:<\/h5>\n

20. Minnesota Twins<\/strong><\/a> (4.4, -1)
\n19. Philadelphia Phillies<\/strong><\/a> (6.9, +1)
\n18. Cincinnati Reds<\/strong><\/a> (8.4, -1)<\/p>\n

Slightly Below Average:<\/h5>\n

17. Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong><\/a> (9.8, -1)
\n16. Baltimore Orioles<\/strong><\/a> (11.0, +2)<\/p>\n

Slightly Above Average:<\/h5>\n

15. Chicago White Sox<\/strong><\/a> (12.9, -1)<\/p>\n

Above Average:<\/h5>\n

14. Houston Astros<\/strong><\/a> (15.1, -9)
\n13.\u202fMiami Marlins<\/strong><\/a> (15.4, -4)
\n12. Arizona Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/a> (16.4, N.C.)<\/p>\n

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

11. Pittsburgh Pirates<\/strong><\/a> (18.0, +4)
\n10. Cleveland Guardians<\/strong><\/a> (18.6, +3)<\/p>\n

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

9. Atlanta Braves<\/strong><\/a> (19.3, +2)
\n8. New York Mets<\/strong><\/a> (19.6, -4)
\n7.\u202fSeattle Mariners<\/strong><\/a> (19.7, -1)
\n6.\u202fNew York Yankees<\/strong><\/a> (20.5, +2)<\/p>\n

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

5. Milwaukee Brewers<\/strong><\/a> (24.1, +2)
\n4.\u202fBoston Red Sox<\/strong><\/a> (24.7, +6)<\/p>\n

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

3.\u202fLos Angeles Dodgers<\/strong><\/a> (27.5, -1)
\n2. Toronto Blue Jays<\/strong><\/a> (28.2, +1)<\/p>\n

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

1.\u202fSan Diego Padres<\/strong><\/a> (36.8, N.C.)<\/p>\n

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

Boston Red Sox (+6)
\nPittsburgh Pirates (+4)
\nCleveland Guardians (+3)<\/p>\n

Biggest Plunges:<\/h5>\n

Houston Astros (-9)
\nMiami Marlins, New York Mets (-4)<\/p>\n

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

\"\"<\/a>
Through end of play Aug 26. 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 26. Chart, rankings, and ranking methods created by Evan M. Thompson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Week 21 Individual Reliever Power Rankings<\/h4>\n

Statistics include every regular-season game up through the end of play on August 26. To qualify for the rankings, there is a minimum of 26 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 13 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. Seranthony Dom\u00ednguez<\/a><\/strong> (CHW\/SEA) \u2014 9.2
\n9. Michael Rucker<\/a><\/strong> (SEA) \u2014 10.1
\n8. Mason Fluharty<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 11.5
\n7. Garrett Cleavinger<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 11.6
\n6. Jovani Mor\u00e1n<\/a><\/strong> (BOS) \u2014 13.3
\n5. Gabe Speier<\/a><\/strong> (SEA) \u2014 18.3
\n4. Paul Sewald<\/a><\/strong> (ARI\/TOR) \u2014 19.5
\n3. Colin Holderman<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 26.9
\n2. Drew Sommers<\/a><\/strong> (DET) \u2014 34.3
\n1. Cam Booser<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 35.3<\/p>\n

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

10. Yuki Matsui<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 10.9
\n9. Lake Bachar<\/a><\/strong> (MIA\/PIT) \u2014 11.4
\n8. Tim Mayza<\/a><\/strong> (PHL) \u2014 12.9
\n7. Tejay Antone<\/a><\/strong> (CIN) \u2014 16.2
\n6. Jonathan Lo\u00e1isiga<\/strong><\/a> (ARI) \u2014 16.2
\n5. Ryan Zeferjahn<\/a><\/strong> (LAA\/CHC) \u2014 16.7
\n4. Alex Vesia<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 17.5
\n3. Jack Dreyer<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 22.3
\n2. Brooks Raley<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/PHL) \u2014 25.0
\n1. Dylan Dodd<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 25.9<\/p>\n

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

10. Kevin Kelly<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 91.2
\n9. Hunter Gaddis<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 93.4
\n8. Brent Headrick<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 94.0
\n7. Steven Okert<\/a><\/strong> (HOU) \u2014 97.9
\n6. Sean Newcomb<\/a><\/strong> (CHW) \u2014 103.6
\n5. Bryan Hudson<\/a><\/strong> (CHW) \u2014 115.5
\n4. Grant Taylor<\/a><\/strong> (CHW) \u2014 160.3
\n3. Erik Miller<\/a><\/strong> (SF\/BOS) \u2014 161.6
\n2. Tyler Rogers<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 173.8
\n1. Paul Blackburn<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 194.8<\/p>\n

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

10. Michael Petersen<\/a><\/strong> (MIA) \u2014 71.4
\n9. Brandyn Garcia<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 73.7
\n8. Ryne Stanek<\/a><\/strong> (STL) \u2014 76.6
\n7. Didier Fuentes<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 80.3
\n6. Aaron Ashby<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 98.2
\n5. Dylan Lee<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 98.2
\n4. Juan Morillo<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 125.8
\n3. Gregory Soto<\/a><\/strong> (PIT) \u2014 154.3
\n2. Adri\u00e1n Morej\u00f3n<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 188.6
\n1. Luke Weaver<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/PIT) \u2014 192.2<\/p>\n

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

\u200bWe\u2019ll include #6-#8, since all of them also broke 100.<\/p>\n

8. Yoendrys G\u00f3mez<\/a><\/strong> (MIN) \u2014 100.7
\n7. Aroldis Chapman<\/a><\/strong> (BOS) \u2014 117.2
\n6. Bryan Baker<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 141.5
\n5. Jacob Latz<\/a><\/strong> (TEX) \u2014 151.1
\n4. Louis Varland<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 159.1
\n3. Cade Smith<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 179.9
\n2. David Bednar<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 194.8
\n1. Josh Hader<\/a><\/strong> (HOU) \u2014 334.8<\/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

\u200b\u200b\u200b8. Jacob Webb<\/a><\/strong> (CHC) \u2014 100.9
\n\u200b7. Emilio Pag\u00e1n<\/a><\/strong> (CIN) \u2014 114.1
\n6. Jhoan Duran<\/a><\/strong> (PHL) \u2014 126.1
\n5. Riley O’Brien<\/a><\/strong> (STL) \u2014 139.6
\n4. Tanner Scott<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 140.9
\n3. Mason Montgomery<\/a><\/strong> (PIT) \u2014 162.5
\n2. Trevor Megill<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 169.7
\n1. Mason Miller<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 447.7<\/p>\n

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

AL \u2014 1.319 WHIP<\/a>, 2.8 HR%<\/a>, 13.0 K\u2013BB%<\/a>, 70.8 ScOtg% (ER)<\/a>, 2.8 GE\/BE<\/a>, 3.8 GE<\/a>, 30.7 IS%<\/a>.
\nNL \u2014 1.316 WHIP, 2.7 HR%, 12.6 K\u2013BB%, 70.8 ScOtg% (ER), 3.0 GE\/BE, 3.6 GE, 32.4 IS%.<\/p>\n

Week 21 in Detail<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Team Stats<\/h5>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Week 21 Team Ranking Totals, complete with Category Scores. Through end of play Aug 26. 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 21 Team Clutch Totals and Scores. Through end of play Aug 26. 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 21 Meh Penalties. Through end of play Aug 26. 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 21 Team Run Prevention Totals and Scores. Through end of play Aug 26. 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 21 Team Baserunner Prevention Totals and Scores. Through end of play Aug 26. 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 21 Team Command Totals and Scores. Through end of play Aug 26. 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 Stats<\/h5>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Week 21 AL Middle and Long Reliever Top Ten. Through end of play Aug 26. Minimum 26 games in relief. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 21 NL Middle and Long Reliever Top Ten. Through end of play Aug 26. Minimum 26 games in relief. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 21 AL Setup Man Top Ten. Through end of play Aug 26. Minimum 26 games in relief and 13 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 21 NL Setup Man Top Ten. Through end of play Aug 26. Minimum 26 games in relief and 13 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 21 AL Closers Top Five, plus six through eight. Through end of play Aug 26. Minimum 26 games in relief and 13 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 21 NL Closers Top Five, plus six through eight. Through end of play Aug 26. Minimum 26 games in relief and 13 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>