{"id":22299,"date":"2026-09-25T16:57:47","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T23:57:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=22299"},"modified":"2026-09-25T16:57:47","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T23:57:47","slug":"reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-week-25-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2026\/09\/25\/reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-week-25-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"Reliever Roundup & Bullpen Bonanza: Week 25 Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reliever Roundup & Bullpen Bonanza, Week 25 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 23, 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 23 <\/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 23rd.<\/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:
\nAL \u2014 1.315 WHIP<\/a>, 2.8 HR%<\/a>, 13.1 K\u2013BB%<\/a>, 71.1 ScOtgER%<\/a>, 2.8 GE\/BE<\/a>, 4.052 GE<\/a>, 30.5 IS%<\/a>.
\nNL \u2014 1.314 WHIP, 2.7 HR%, 12.7 K\u2013BB%, 70.7 ScOtgER%, 3.0 GE\/BE, 3.810 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 25. 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 23.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Door Slam Totals<\/h5>\n

Here is the list of each team\u2019s Door Slam totals at the end of Week 25. At this point, every team had played either 158 or 159 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 tied for both the NL and major-league lead at the end of play on Wednesday, September 23, with 13. Third place had one team: the AL-leading Houston Astros, with 12. The Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, and Milwaukee Brewers tied for fourth, each with 11. Three teams had ten each: the Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Dodgers, and St Louis Cardinals. Six teams had nine Goose Eggs each: the Athletics, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers. Three teams had eight each: the Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays.<\/p>\n

Another three teams had seven each: the Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, 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 Baltimore Orioles. Three teams had four each: the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals. The Los Angeles Angels had three. Finally, the San Francisco Giants still had one.<\/p>\n

Door Slam Summary<\/h5>\n

In summary, over the first 25 weeks of the season, there were 244 total Door Slams league\u2011wide. The Reds and Pirates led with 13, followed by the AL-leading Astros with 12. Splitting it up by league, the AL had 124 and the NL had 120.<\/p>\n

Week 25 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 23. (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 24. \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> (-23.9, -2)
\n29. Colorado Rockies<\/strong><\/a> (-14.6, -2)
\n28.\u202fSeattle Mariners<\/strong><\/a> (-12.4, +1)
\n27. Washington Nationals<\/strong><\/a> (-11.8, +3)<\/p>\n

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

26. Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/a> (-5.8, -1)
\n25. Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/a> (-5.2, -1)
\n24. St. Louis Cardinals<\/strong><\/a> (-3.2, -3)
\n23. Los Angeles Angels<\/strong><\/a> (-3.0, N.C.)<\/p>\n

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

22.\u202fMiami Marlins<\/strong><\/a> (-1.7, +4)
\n21. Philadelphia Phillies<\/strong><\/a> (-0.6, -2)
\n20. Texas Rangers<\/strong><\/a> (1.1, -10)
\n19. Athletics<\/strong><\/a> (3.1, -1)<\/p>\n

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

18. Chicago White Sox<\/strong><\/a> (3.4, +2)
\n17. New York Mets<\/strong><\/a> (4.3, N.C.)
\n16. Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong><\/a> (4.6, +6)<\/p>\n

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

15. Detroit Tigers<\/strong><\/a> (6.9, +1)
\n14. Houston Astros<\/strong><\/a> (8.4, -2)
\n13. Minnesota Twins<\/strong><\/a> (11.8, +2)<\/p>\n

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

12. Cincinnati Reds<\/strong><\/a> (15.2, +1)
\n11. Baltimore Orioles<\/strong><\/a> (15.4, +3)
\n10. Atlanta Braves<\/strong><\/a> (15.8, +1)<\/p>\n

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

9.\u202fNew York Yankees<\/strong><\/a> (22.0, -2)
\n8.\u202fBoston Red Sox<\/strong><\/a> (24.5, +1)<\/p>\n

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

7.\u202fLos Angeles Dodgers<\/strong><\/a> (26.7, +1)
\n6. Arizona Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/a> (33.7, N.C.)<\/p>\n

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

5. Milwaukee Brewers<\/strong><\/a> (36.8, N.C.)
\n4. Toronto Blue Jays<\/strong><\/a> (39.4, N.C.)<\/p>\n

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

3.\u202fSan Diego Padres<\/strong><\/a> (58.1, N.C.)
\n<\/strong>2. Pittsburgh Pirates<\/strong><\/a> (59.6, N.C.)<\/p>\n

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

1. Cleveland Guardians<\/strong><\/a> (140.8, N.C.)<\/p>\n

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

Tampa Bay Rays (+6)
\nMiami Marlins (+4)
\nBaltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals (+3)<\/p>\n

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

Texas Rangers (-10)
\nSt. Louis Cardinals (-3)<\/p>\n

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

\"\"<\/a>
From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 23. 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 23. 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>
Through end of play Sept 23. Chart, rankings, and ranking methods created by Evan M. Thompson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Week 25 Individual Reliever Power Rankings<\/h4>\n

Statistics include every regular-season game up through the end of play on September 23. To qualify for the rankings, there is a minimum of 30 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 15 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. Jovani Mor\u00e1n<\/a><\/strong> (BOS) \u2014 14.3
\n9. Grant Wolfram<\/a><\/strong> (BAL) \u2014 14.4
\n8. Paul Sewald<\/a><\/strong> (ARI\/TOR) \u2014 16.7
\n7. Josh Walker<\/a><\/strong> (BAL) \u2014 18.2
\n6. Colin Holderman<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 20.1
\n5. Erik Miller<\/a><\/strong> (SF\/BOS) \u2014 20.7
\n4. A.J. Minter<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/MIN) \u2014 21.4
\n3. Craig Yoho<\/a><\/strong> (MIL\/CLE) \u2014 23.9
\n2. Drew Sommers<\/a><\/strong> (DET) \u2014 26.6
\n1. Cam Booser<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 35.3\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

10. DL Hall<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 14.0
\n9. Kevin Ginkel<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 14.2
\n8. Tim Mayza<\/a><\/strong> (PHL) \u2014 14.6
\n7. Brooks Raley<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/PHL) \u2014 14.8
\n6. Yohan Ram\u00edrez<\/a><\/strong> (PIT) \u2014 15.8
\n5. Jack Dreyer<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 16.2
\n4. Jonathan Loaisiga<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 20.9
\n3. Jonathan Bowlan<\/a><\/strong> (PHL) \u2014 21.0
\n2. Alex Vesia<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 22.9
\n1. Dylan Dodd<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 26.8<\/p>\n

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

10. Seranthony Dom\u00ednguez<\/a><\/strong> (CHW\/SEA) \u2014 64.7
\n9. Erik Sabrowski<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 80.6
\n8. Yoendrys G\u00f3mez<\/a><\/strong> (MIN) \u2014 81.2
\n7. Bryan Abreu<\/a><\/strong> (HOU) \u2014 82.7
\n6. Kevin Kelly<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 89.4
\n5. Brent Headrick<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 102.9
\n4. Hunter Gaddis<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 107.0
\n3. Garrett Whitlock<\/a><\/strong> (BOS) \u2014 139.5
\n2. Paul Blackburn<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 140.7
\n1. Tyler Rogers<\/a><\/strong> (TOR) \u2014 178.2\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

10. Aaron Ashby<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 96.1
\n9. Ryne Stanek<\/a><\/strong> (STL) \u2014 99.2
\n8. Didier Fuentes<\/a><\/strong> (ATL) \u2014 99.7
\n7. Brock Burke<\/a><\/strong> (CIN) \u2014 129.8
\n6. Juan Morillo<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 136.3
\n5. Brandyn Garcia<\/a><\/strong> (ARI) \u2014 139.4
\n4. Gregory Soto<\/a><\/strong> (PIT) \u2014 139.5
\n3. Abner Uribe<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 140.0
\n2. Adri\u00e1n Morej\u00f3n<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 203.5
\n1. Luke Weaver<\/a><\/strong> (NYM\/PIT) \u2014 228.4\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

5. Bryan Baker<\/a><\/strong> (TB) \u2014 153.3
\n4. Grant Taylor<\/a><\/strong> (CHW) \u2014 166.7
\n3. David Bednar<\/a><\/strong> (NYY) \u2014 220.8
\n2. Cade Smith<\/a><\/strong> (CLE) \u2014 232.9
\n1. Josh Hader<\/a><\/strong> (HOU) \u2014 259.2\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

5. Emilio Pag\u00e1n<\/a><\/strong> (CIN) \u2014 141.8
\n4. Tanner Scott<\/a><\/strong> (LAD) \u2014 146.5
\n3. Trevor Megill<\/a><\/strong> (MIL) \u2014 149.4
\n2. Mason Montgomery<\/a><\/strong> (PIT) \u2014 241.4
\n1. Mason Miller<\/a><\/strong> (SD) \u2014 274.8\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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

AL \u2014 1.315 WHIP<\/a>, 2.8 HR%<\/a>, 13.1 K\u2013BB%<\/a>, 71.1 ScOtgER%<\/a>, 2.8 GE\/BE<\/a>, 4.052 GE<\/a>, 30.5 IS%<\/a>.
\nNL \u2014 1.314 WHIP, 2.7 HR%, 12.7 K\u2013BB%, 70.7 ScOtgER%, 3.0 GE\/BE, 3.810 GE, 32.5 IS%.<\/p>\n

Week 25 in Detail<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Team Leaderboards<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\"\"<\/a>
Week 25 Team Ranking Totals, complete with Category Scores. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 23. 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 25 Team Clutch Totals and Scores. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 23. 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 25 Meh Penalties. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 23. 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 25 Team Run Prevention Totals and Scores. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 23. 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 25 Team Baserunner Prevention Totals and Scores. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 23. 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 25 Team Command Totals and Scores. From Trade Deadline through end of play Sept 23. 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 25 AL Middle and Long Reliever Top Ten. Through end of play Sept 23. Minimum 30 games in relief. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 25 NL Middle and Long Reliever Top Ten. Through end of play Sept 23. Minimum 30 games in relief. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 25 AL Setup Man Top Ten. Through end of play Sept 23. Minimum 30 games in relief and 15 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 25 NL Setup Man Top Ten. 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 25 AL Closers Top Five. Through end of play Sept 23. Minimum 30 games in relief and 15 GE+BE. (Table and ranking methods by Evan M. Thompson.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Week 25 NL Closers Top Five. Through end of play Sept 23. Minimum 30 games in relief and 15 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 23. 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 23. 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 23. 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 23. 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 23. 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 23. 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>