{"id":21996,"date":"2026-09-12T18:53:41","date_gmt":"2026-09-13T01:53:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=21996"},"modified":"2026-09-12T18:53:41","modified_gmt":"2026-09-13T01:53:41","slug":"reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-week-23-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2026\/09\/12\/reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-week-23-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"Reliever Roundup & Bullpen Bonanza: Week 23 Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reliever Roundup & Bullpen Bonanza, Week 23 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 September 9, 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 4.20. As for the rest of the stats, statistics are up to the end of play on<\/strong> Wednesday, September 9 <\/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 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 1.316 WHIP<\/a>, 2.8 HR%<\/a>, 13.1 K\u2013BB%<\/a>, 71.0 ScOtg% (ER)<\/a>, 2.9 GE\/BE<\/a>, 3.9 GE<\/a>, 30.5 IS%<\/a>.
\nNL \u2014 1.316 WHIP, 2.7 HR%, 12.7 K\u2013BB%, 70.6 ScOtg% (ER), 3.0 GE\/BE, 3.7 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 Table<\/h5>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Door Slams by team, through Week 23. 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 Sept 9.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Door Slam Totals<\/h5>\n

Here is the list of each team\u2019s Door Slam totals at the end of Week 23. At this point, the Nationals had played 148 games. The other 29 teams had played 145, 146, or 147 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 Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates were tied for the Major League Baseball lead \u2014 and National League lead \u2014 at the end of play on Wednesday, September 9, with 12. In third place were the Milwaukee Brewers, with 11. The Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, and Los Angeles Dodgers were tied for fourth with 10 each. Five teams had nine each: the Athletics, Cleveland Guardians, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers. Four teams had eight Goose Eggs each: the Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, and Toronto Blue Jays. Two teams had seven each: the Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals. Three teams \u2014 the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and San Diego Padres \u2014 had six Door Slams each.<\/p>\n

One team had five door slams: the Miami Marlins. Four teams had four each: the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and Tampa Bay Rays. The Washington Nationals still had three. Finally, two teams still had one each: the Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants.<\/p>\n

Door Slam Totals<\/h5>\n

In summary, over the first 23 weeks of the season, there were 220 total Door Slams league\u2011wide. The Reds and Pirates tied for the lead with 12, followed by the Brewers with 11. Three teams were tied for the American League lead with 10 each: the Red Sox, White Sox, and Astros. Splitting it up by league, they each had 110. This was the first time all season that both leagues had the same total at the end of a week.<\/p>\n

Week 23 Team Relief Corps Power Rankings<\/h4>\n

We are in the second week of September. Several teams had a vast or nearly complete change of relief personnel after the Trade Deadline. Some greatly improved \u2014 namely the Pirates \u2014 and others dumped nearly everyone who was performing well \u2014 namely the Giants. Therefore, from here until the end of the regular season, we will use the post-Trade Deadline rankings.<\/p>\n

These rankings include every pitch thrown in relief by a player wearing their team\u2019s uniform \u2014 excluding position players \u2014 from August 3 through the end of play on September 9. (Note: the Trade Deadline passed before any August 3 games began.<\/em>) The tables below show 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 22, despite Week 22 being full season and not post-Trade Deadline. (Note: That was a conscious decision, not an oversight.<\/em>) \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.\u202fSeattle Mariners<\/strong><\/a> (-21.7, -17)
\n29. Washington Nationals<\/strong><\/a> (-19.2, N.C.)
\n28.\u202fMiami Marlins<\/strong><\/a> (-19.1, -13)
\n27. San Francisco Giants<\/strong><\/a> (-18.5, +3)<\/p>\n

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

26. Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong><\/a> (-13.7, -9)
\n25. Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/a> (-9.29, rounded to -9.3, +2)
\n24. Colorado Rockies<\/strong><\/a> (-9.28, rounded to -9.3, +2)
\n23. St. Louis Cardinals<\/strong><\/a> (-8.0, +1)<\/p>\n

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

22. Los Angeles Angels<\/strong><\/a> (-1.8, +3)
\n21. Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/a> (-0.2, +1)
\n20. Athletics<\/strong><\/a> (3.8919, rounded to 3.9, +3)
\n19. Chicago White Sox<\/strong><\/a> (3.8920, rounded to 3.9, -5)<\/p>\n

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

18. Baltimore Orioles<\/strong><\/a> (4.3, -2)
\n17. Houston Astros<\/strong><\/a> (6.4, -6)
\n16. Cincinnati Reds<\/strong><\/a> (6.7, +3)<\/p>\n

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

15. New York Mets<\/strong><\/a> (7.8, -8)
\n14. Detroit Tigers<\/strong><\/a> (9.0, +14)
\n13. Texas Rangers<\/strong><\/a> (11.6, +8)<\/p>\n

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

12. Philadelphia Phillies<\/strong><\/a> (14.6, +6)
\n11. Atlanta Braves<\/strong><\/a> (17.2, -3)
\n10.\u202fNew York Yankees<\/strong><\/a> (18.0, -4)<\/p>\n

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

9. Arizona Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/a> (24.3, +3)
\n8. Minnesota Twins<\/strong><\/a> (30.3, +12)<\/p>\n

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

7.\u202fLos Angeles Dodgers<\/strong><\/a> (32.0, -2)
\n6.\u202fBoston Red Sox<\/strong><\/a> (34.9, -2)<\/p>\n

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

5. Milwaukee Brewers<\/strong><\/a> (41.2, -2)
\n4.\u202fSan Diego Padres<\/strong><\/a> (72.7, -3)<\/p>\n

The AL Outliers:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

3. Toronto Blue Jays<\/strong><\/a> (82.5, -1)
\n2. Cleveland Guardians<\/strong><\/a> (84.4, +8)<\/p>\n

The Extreme Outlier:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

1. Pittsburgh Pirates<\/strong><\/a> (156.2, +8)<\/p>\n

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

Detroit Tigers (+14)
\nMinnesota Twins (+12)
\nCleveland Guardians, Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers (+8)<\/p>\n

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

Seattle Mariners (-17)
\nMiami Marlins (-13)
\nTampa Bay Rays (-9)
\nNew York Mets (-8)<\/p>\n

Here is this week\u2019s Scatter Plot. It gives a great illustration of how far ahead of the rest of the league the Pirates are.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 9. Chart, rankings, and ranking methods created by Evan M. Thompson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now here is the Scatter Plot with the Pirates removed.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 9. Chart, rankings, and ranking methods created by Evan M. Thompson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here is the line graph of every team\u2019s rankings in the season so far, week by week. It clearly shows how drastic some teams\u2019 performances changed post-Trade Deadline.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 9. Chart, rankings, and ranking methods created by Evan M. Thompson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Week 23 Individual Reliever Power Rankings<\/h4>\n

Statistics include every regular-season game up through the end of play on September 9. To qualify for the rankings, there is a minimum of 28 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 14 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. Tyler Kinley<\/a><\/strong> (ATL\/DET) \u2014 12.2
\n9. Chase Silseth<\/a><\/strong> (TEX) \u2014 12.5
\n8. Sean Newcomb<\/a><\/strong> (CHW) \u2014 12.5
\n7. Gabe Speier<\/a><\/strong> (SEA) \u2014 16.5
\n6. Colin Holderman<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 20.3
\n5. Paul Sewald<\/a><\/strong> (ARI\/TOR) \u2014 21.6
\n4. Craig Yoho<\/a><\/strong> (MIL\/CLE) \u2014 26.8
\n3. Spencer Miles<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 27.5
\n2. Drew Sommers<\/a><\/strong> (DET) \u2014 29.2
\n1. Cam Booser<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 31.2\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

10.Lake Bachar<\/a><\/strong> (MIA\/PIT) \u2014 11.5
\n9. Yuki Matsui<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 12.1
\n8. DL Hall<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 12.6
\n7. Tim Mayza<\/a><\/strong> (PHL) \u2014 13.6
\n6. Jack Dreyer<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 18.3
\n5. Graham Ashcraft<\/a><\/strong> (CIN) \u2014 18.4
\n4. Alex Vesia<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 20.1
\n3. Jonathan Lo\u00e1isiga<\/strong><\/a> (ARI) \u2014 20.2
\n2. Brooks Raley<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/PHL) \u2014 23.4
\n1. Dylan Dodd<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 24.2<\/p>\n

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

10.Bryan Abreu<\/a><\/strong> (HOU) \u2014 84.9
\n9. Erik Sabrowski<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 85.5
\n8. Kevin Kelly<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 89.3
\n7. Jeff Hoffman<\/a><\/strong> (TOR\/MIN) \u2014 90.5
\n6. Brent Headrick<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 97.3
\n5. Hunter Gaddis<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 109.1
\n4. Paul Blackburn<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 116.3
\n3. Garrett Whitlock<\/a><\/strong> (BOS) \u2014 130.6
\n2. Tyler Rogers<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 184.2
\n1. Erik Miller<\/a><\/strong> (SF\/BOS) \u2014 186.6<\/p>\n

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

10.Aaron Ashby<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 94.8
\n9. Dylan Lee<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 96.6
\n8. Brandyn Garcia<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 105.2
\n7. Brock Burke<\/a><\/strong> (CIN) \u2014 109.1
\n6. Juan Morillo<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 127.4
\n5. Abner Uribe<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 134.7
\n4. Tanner Scott<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 141.2
\n3. Gregory Soto<\/a><\/strong> (PIT) \u2014 153.7
\n2. Adri\u00e1n Morej\u00f3n<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 198.5
\n1. Luke Weaver<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/PIT) \u2014 203.8\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

5.Louis Varland<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 154.2
\n4. Grant Taylor<\/a><\/strong> (CHW) \u2014 161.2
\n3. Cade Smith<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 198.7
\n2. David Bednar<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 211.4
\n1. Josh Hader<\/a><\/strong> (HOU) \u2014 386.9\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

5. Jhoan Duran<\/a><\/strong> (PHL) \u2014 128.0
\n4. Riley O’Brien<\/a><\/strong> (STL) \u2014 140.1
\n3. Trevor Megill<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 157.3
\n2. Mason Montgomery<\/a><\/strong> (PIT) \u2014 207.8
\n1. Mason Miller<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 308.9\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

AL \u2014 1.316 WHIP<\/a>, 2.8 HR%<\/a>, 13.1 K\u2013BB%<\/a>, 71.0 ScOtg% (ER)<\/a>, 2.9 GE\/BE<\/a>, 3.9 GE<\/a>, 30.5 IS%<\/a>.
\nNL \u2014 1.316 WHIP, 2.7 HR%, 12.7 K\u2013BB%, 70.6 ScOtg% (ER), 3.0 GE\/BE, 3.7 GE, 32.5 IS%.<\/p>\n

Week 23 in Detail<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Team Leaderboards<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Week 23 Team Ranking Totals, complete with Category Scores. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 9. 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 23 Team Clutch Totals and Scores. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 9. 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 23 Meh Penalties. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 9. 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 23 Team Run Prevention Totals and Scores. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 9. 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 23 Team Baserunner Prevention Totals and Scores. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 9. 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 23 Team Command Totals and Scores. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 9. 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 Leaderboards<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Week 23 AL Middle and Long Reliever Top Ten. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 9. Minimum 28 games in relief. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 23 NL Closers Top Five. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 9. Minimum 28 games in relief and 14 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 23 AL Closers Top Five. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 9. Minimum 28 games in relief and 14 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 23 NL Setup Man Top Ten. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 9. Minimum 28 games in relief and 14 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 23 AL Setup Man Top Ten. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 9. Minimum 28 games in relief and 14 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 23 NL Middle and Long Reliever Top Ten. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 9. Minimum 28 games in relief. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>