{"id":22116,"date":"2026-09-19T15:06:54","date_gmt":"2026-09-19T22:06:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=22116"},"modified":"2026-09-19T15:06:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T22:06:54","slug":"reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-week-24-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2026\/09\/19\/reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-week-24-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"Reliever Roundup & Bullpen Bonanza: Week 24 Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reliever Roundup & Bullpen Bonanza, Week 24 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 16, the league-wide AL ERA was 4.14. 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 4.22. As for the rest of the stats, statistics are up to the end of play on<\/strong> Wednesday, September 16 <\/strong>unless otherwise noted, are for relief appearances only<\/strong>, and exclude position pitchers<\/strong>. As a bonus, at the very end of the article, we\u2019ve included tables that show the current team relief standings for the month of September, again through the end of play on the 16th.<\/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:<\/h4>\n

AL \u2014 1.317 WHIP<\/a>, 2.8 HR%<\/a>, 13.0 K\u2013BB%<\/a>, 71.0 ScOtg% (ER)<\/a>, 2.9 GE\/BE<\/a>, 3.976 GE<\/a>, 30.6 IS%<\/a>.
\nNL \u2014 1.320 WHIP, 2.7 HR%, 12.6 K\u2013BB%, 70.5 ScOtg% (ER), 3.0 GE\/BE, 3.757 GE, 32.7 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 24. 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 16.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Door Slam Totals<\/h5>\n

Here is the list of each team\u2019s Door Slam totals at the end of Week 24. At this point, the Rays had played 151 games. The other 29 teams had played either 152 or 153 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 Pittsburgh Pirates led both the majors and the NL at the end of play on Wednesday, September 16, with 13. Second place saw a tie between the Cincinnati Reds and the AL-leading Houston Astros, each with 12. The Milwaukee Brewers stood alone in fourth with 11. Five teams had ten each: the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and St Louis Cardinals. An additional five had nine Goose Eggs each: the Athletics, Cleveland Guardians, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers. Five more teams had eight each: the Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays.<\/p>\n

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

Door Slam Totals<\/h5>\n

In summary, over the first 24 weeks of the season, there were 233 total Door Slams league\u2011wide. The Pirates led with 13, followed by the Reds and AL-leading Astros with 12. Splitting it up by league, the AL had 118 and the NL had 115.<\/p>\n

Week 24 Team Relief Corps Power Rankings<\/h4>\n

Time now for the post-Trade Deadline Power rankings. 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 16. (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 23, despite Week 23 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. Washington Nationals<\/strong><\/a> (-18.2, -1)
\n29.\u202fSeattle Mariners<\/strong><\/a> (-18.1, +1)
\n28. San Francisco Giants<\/strong><\/a> (-17.1, -1)
\n27. Colorado Rockies<\/strong><\/a> (-13.5, -3)
\n26.\u202fMiami Marlins<\/strong><\/a> (-12.0, +2)<\/p>\n

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

25. Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/a> (-6.4, N.C.)
\n24. Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/a> (-5.9, -3)
\n23. Los Angeles Angels<\/strong><\/a> (-1.2, -1)<\/p>\n

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

22. Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong><\/a> (-0.3, +4)
\n21. St. Louis Cardinals<\/strong><\/a> (0.5, +2)
\n20. Chicago White Sox<\/strong><\/a> (3.8920, rounded to 3.9, -5)
\n19. Philadelphia Phillies<\/strong><\/a> (14.6, +6)<\/p>\n

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

18. Athletics<\/strong><\/a> (3.6, +2)
\n17. New York Mets<\/strong><\/a> (4.3, -2)
\n16. Detroit Tigers<\/strong><\/a> (7.4, -2)<\/p>\n

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

15. Minnesota Twins<\/strong><\/a> (8.2, -7)
\n14. Baltimore Orioles<\/strong><\/a> (8.8, +4)
\n13. Cincinnati Reds<\/strong><\/a> (9.7, +3)<\/p>\n

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

12. Houston Astros<\/strong><\/a> (13.9, +5)
\n11. Atlanta Braves<\/strong><\/a> (16.4, N.C.)<\/p>\n

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

10. Texas Rangers<\/strong><\/a> (20.9, +3)
\n9.\u202fBoston Red Sox<\/strong><\/a> (21.9, -3)
\n8.\u202fLos Angeles Dodgers<\/strong><\/a> (23.7, -1)<\/p>\n

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

7.\u202fNew York Yankees<\/strong><\/a> (25.6, +3)
\n6. Arizona Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/a> (29.3, +3)<\/p>\n

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

5. Milwaukee Brewers<\/strong><\/a> (40.2, N.C.)
\n4. Toronto Blue Jays<\/strong><\/a> (46.5, -1)<\/p>\n

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

3.\u202fSan Diego Padres<\/strong><\/a> (66.9, +1)
\n<\/strong>2. Pittsburgh Pirates<\/strong><\/a> (89.9, -1)<\/p>\n

Der \u00dcber-Bullpen:
\n<\/strong><\/h5>\n

1. Cleveland Guardians<\/strong><\/a> (207.6, +1)<\/p>\n

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

Houston Astros (+5)
\nBaltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays (+4)<\/p>\n

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

Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies (-7)
\nBoston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies (-3)<\/p>\n

Here is this week\u2019s Scatter Plot.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. Chart, rankings, and ranking methods created by Evan M. Thompson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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

\"\"<\/a>
From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. Chart, rankings, and ranking methods created by Evan M. Thompson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And here is the Scatter Plot with the Guardians, Pirates, and Padres all three removed.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. 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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. Chart, rankings, and ranking methods created by Evan M. Thompson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Week 24 Individual Reliever Power Rankings<\/h4>\n

Statistics include every regular-season game up through the end of play on September 16. To qualify for the rankings, there is a minimum of 29 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, unless only one team name appears in parentheses.<\/p>\n

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

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

10. Chase Silseth<\/a><\/strong> (LAA\/TEX) \u2014 11.8
\n9. Mason Fluharty<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 12.6
\n8. Gabe Speier<\/a><\/strong> (SEA) \u2014 12.9
\n7. Jovani Mor\u00e1n<\/a><\/strong> (BOS) \u2014 13.0
\n6. Grant Wolfram<\/a><\/strong> (BAL) \u2014 14.9
\n5. Paul Sewald<\/a><\/strong> (ARI\/TOR) \u2014 18.3
\n4. Colin Holderman<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 20.4
\n3. Craig Yoho<\/a><\/strong> (MIL\/CLE) \u2014 23.7
\n2. Drew Sommers<\/a><\/strong> (DET) \u2014 25.4
\n1. Cam Booser<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 34.2<\/p>\n

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

10. DL Hall<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 10.8
\n9. Austin Warren<\/a><\/strong> (NYM) \u2014 11.8
\n8. Lake Bachar<\/a><\/strong> (MIA\/PIT) \u2014 11.8
\n7. Yuki Matsui<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 13.0
\n6. Yohan Ram\u00edrez<\/a><\/strong> (PIT) \u2014 13.5
\n5. Tim Mayza<\/a><\/strong> (PHL) \u2014 14.0
\n4. Jack Dreyer<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 15.0
\n3. Brooks Raley<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/PHL) \u2014 18.5
\n2. Jonathan Loaisiga<\/a> <\/strong>(ARI) \u2014 21.9
\n1. Dylan Dodd<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 25.1<\/p>\n

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

10. Erik Sabrowski<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 75.8
\n9. Erik Miller<\/a><\/strong> (SF\/BOS) \u2014 76.8
\n8. Bryan Abreu<\/a><\/strong> (HOU) \u2014 87.1
\n7. Kevin Kelly<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 90.6
\n6. Jeff Hoffman<\/a><\/strong> (TOR\/MIN) \u2014 105.9
\n5. Brent Headrick<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 106.0
\n4. Hunter Gaddis<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 110.4
\n3. Garrett Whitlock<\/a><\/strong> (BOS) \u2014 129.4
\n2. Paul Blackburn<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 131.6
\n1. Tyler Rogers<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 181.9<\/p>\n

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

10. Ryne Stanek<\/a><\/strong> (STL) \u2014 100.7
\n9. Didier Fuentes<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 102.0
\n8. Brandyn Garcia<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 120.5
\n7. Brock Burke<\/a><\/strong> (CIN) \u2014 124.6
\n6. Abner Uribe<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 130.1
\n5. Juan Morillo<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 132.9
\n4. Gregory Soto<\/a><\/strong> (PIT) \u2014 135.9
\n3. Tanner Scott<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 138.1
\n2. Adri\u00e1n Morej\u00f3n<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 201.4
\n1. Luke Weaver<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/PIT) \u2014 223.8\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

5. Bryan Baker<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 149.6
\n4. Jacob Latz<\/a><\/strong> (TEX) \u2014 155.1
\n3. Cade Smith<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 204.2
\n2. David Bednar<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 214.4
\n1. Josh Hader<\/a><\/strong> (HOU) \u2014 412.4\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 1.317 WHIP<\/a>, 2.8 HR%<\/a>, 13.0 K\u2013BB%<\/a>, 71.0 ScOtg% (ER)<\/a>, 2.9 GE\/BE<\/a>, 3.976 GE<\/a>, 30.6 IS%<\/a>.
\nNL \u2014 1.320 WHIP, 2.7 HR%, 12.6 K\u2013BB%, 70.5 ScOtg% (ER), 3.0 GE\/BE, 3.757 GE, 32.7 IS%.<\/p>\n

Week 24 in Detail<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Team Leaderboards<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Week 24 Team Ranking Totals, complete with Category Scores. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. 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 24 Team Clutch Totals and Scores. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. 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 24 Meh Penalties. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. 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 24 Team Run Prevention Totals and Scores. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. 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 24 Team Baserunner Prevention Totals and Scores. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. 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 24 Team Command Totals and Scores. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. 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 24 AL Middle and Long Reliever Top Ten. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. Minimum 29 games in relief. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 24 NL Middle and Long Reliever Top Ten. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. Minimum 29 games in relief. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 24 AL Setup Man Top Ten. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. Minimum 29 games in relief and 14 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 24 NL Setup Man Top Ten. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. Minimum 29 games in relief and 14 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 24 AL Closers Top Five. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. Minimum 29 games in relief and 14 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 24 NL Closers Top Five. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 16. Minimum 29 games in relief and 14 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

September Update<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Team Leaderboards<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\"\"<\/a>
September Team Ranking Totals, complete with Category Scores. From September 1 through end of play Sept 16. 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>
September Team Clutch Totals and Scores. From September 1 through end of play Sept 16. 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>
September Meh Penalties. From September 1 through end of play Sept 16. 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>
September Team Run Prevention Totals and Scores. From September 1 through end of play Sept 16. 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>
September Team Baserunner Prevention Totals and Scores. From September 1 through end of play Sept 16. 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>
September Team Command Totals and Scores. From September 1 through end of play Sept 16. 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

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

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>