{"id":7511,"date":"2023-08-19T16:20:36","date_gmt":"2023-08-19T23:20:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=7511"},"modified":"2025-12-09T10:09:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T18:09:02","slug":"reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-team-rankings-20230817","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/08\/19\/reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-team-rankings-20230817\/","title":{"rendered":"Reliever Roundup and Bullpen Bonanza \u2014 Week 19 (Aug 14 to Aug 20) Team Rankings, 1\u201330 (Midweek Update)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reliever Roundup and Bullpen Bonanza \u2014 8\/14\u20138\/20 Team Rankings (Midweek Update)<\/h2>\n

We are finishing up the 19th week of the season. The leader in the team bullpen\/reliever\/relief corps rankings has remained the same, but there have been changes throughout the rest of the board. Since this is a midweek update, we will have barebones numbers only. Statistics are through the end of play Thursday, August 17 <\/strong>and only include each reliever\u2019s stats with his current team.<\/p>\n

These rankings are not interested in what some guy in the minors did back in April before he was sent down. We want to see whose current relief roster is the toughest. That will be most useful when watching and analyzing games.<\/p>\n

Brief Rankings Explanation<\/h4>\n

Rankings are split into the following categories. These categories encompass what a relief pitcher\u2019s jobs are<\/a> and are weighted according to importance. We don\u2019t want to get bogged down, so we\u2019ll keep it brief. (Author\u2019s Note: For full details, leave a comment and I\u2019ll be glad to get back to you.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Clutch<\/strong> (45% of score) \u2014 How well they perform in late innings either while the game is tied or while holding a narrow lead.<\/p>\n

Run Prevention<\/strong> (35%) \u2014 How well they keep runs off the board, including inherited runners.<\/p>\n

Baserunner Prevention<\/strong> (13%) \u2014 Who has the lowest WHIP and lowest home run percentage (HR%). WHIP is 85% of the Baserunner Prevention score, and HR% is 15%.<\/p>\n

Command<\/strong> (7%) \u2014 Who has the best strikeout percentage minus walk percentage (K\u2013BB%).<\/p>\n

The total score in each category is based on the league average. Zero points equals the league average. Positive scores are better than league average; negative scores are worse. The farther their score is from zero \u2014 either positive or negative \u2014 the farther they are from the league average.<\/p>\n

(Note: Due to weighting each score, adding the four categories together won\u2019t equal the total score.)<\/em><\/p>\n

For a full breakdown of each category\u2019s score formula, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Team<\/a>
Team Reliever \/ Bullpen \/ Relief Corps Rankings, Week 19, Aug 14 to 20. Stats through end of play Aug 17 and are based on active rosters as of Aug 18.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Week 19 (Aug 14 to Aug 20) Midweek Team Reliever and Bullpen Rankings<\/h3>\n

\u00a0The Elite<\/h4>\n
    \n
  1. Milwaukee Brewers<\/a><\/strong> (36.2, First in NL), No Change from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    68.8 Clutch, 8.4 Run Prevention, 10.1 Baserunners, 13.6 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

    Better Take an Early Lead\u2026<\/h4>\n
      \n
    1. Detroit Tigers<\/strong><\/a> (19.2, First in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +4 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      39.4 Clutch, 2.4 Run Prevention, 7.0 Baserunners, -4.6 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Baltimore Orioles<\/strong><\/a> (16.4, Second in AL), No Change from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        34.0 Clutch, 1.1 Run Prevention, 3.8 Baserunners, 3.8 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

        The Very Good<\/h4>\n
          \n
        1. San Francisco Giants<\/strong><\/a> (14.7, Second in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -2 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          33.3 Clutch, -4.1 Run Prevention, 5.5 Baserunners, 6.5 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Pittsburgh Pirates<\/strong><\/a> (12.6, Third in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +9 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            28.2 Clutch, -3.5 Run Prevention, -0.6 Baserunners, 17.9 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Toronto Blue Jays<\/strong><\/a> (12.1, Third in AL), <\/strong>\u25bc -1 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              12.8 Clutch, 12.2 Run Prevention, 5.3 Baserunners, 19.3 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                \n
              1. New York Yankees<\/strong><\/a> (11.9, Fourth in AL), <\/strong>\u25bc -3 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                23.8 Clutch, 1.3 Run Prevention, 5.1 Baserunners, 1.2 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. Seattle Mariners<\/strong><\/a> (10.2, Fifth in AL), <\/strong>\u25bc -1 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                  10.7 Clutch, 7.9 Run Prevention, 7.2 Baserunners, 23.5 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                  Slightly above Average<\/h4>\n
                    \n
                  1. Los Angeles Angels<\/strong><\/a> (8.1, Sixth in AL), <\/strong>\u25bc -1 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    25.6 Clutch, -3.7 Run Prevention, -10.8 Baserunners, -10.7 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                      \n
                    1. Boston Red Sox<\/strong><\/a> (5.2, Seventh in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +8 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      7.5 Clutch, 2.2 Run Prevention, 4.5 Baserunners, 7.5 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                        \n
                      1. Atlanta Braves<\/strong><\/a> (4.8, Fourth in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +2 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                        11.2 Clutch, -1.2 Run Prevention, -0.8 Baserunners, 3.2 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                          \n
                        1. Los Angeles Dodgers<\/strong><\/a> (4.2, Fifth in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -1 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                          2.2 Clutch, 7.9 Run Prevention, 4.0 Baserunners, -1.7 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                            \n
                          1. Colorado Rockies<\/strong><\/a> (4.1, Sixth in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +7 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                            20.9 Clutch, -4.5 Run Prevention, -7.4 Baserunners, -40.5 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                            The Average<\/h4>\n
                              \n
                            1. Cleveland Guardians<\/strong><\/a> (2.4, Eighth in AL), <\/strong>\u25bc -5 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                              1.8 Clutch, 3.9 Run Prevention, 1.8 Baserunners, -0.4 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                \n
                              1. Houston Astros<\/strong><\/a> (1.9, Ninth in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +4 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                2.2 Clutch, 1.5 Run Prevention, -0.5 Baserunners, 5.9 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                1. Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong><\/a> (1.7, 10th in AL), <\/strong>\u25bc -4 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                  4.0 Clutch, 2.2 Run Prevention, -3.0 Baserunners, -6.7 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  1. Cincinnati Reds<\/strong><\/a> (1.0, Seventh in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -7 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                    2.9 Clutch, 0.3 Run Prevention, -1.3 Baserunners, -3.3 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                      \n
                                    1. Miami Marlins<\/strong><\/a> (0.2, Eighth in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +4 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                      -8.2 Clutch, 4.1 Run Prevention, 5.7 Baserunners, 23.6 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                        \n
                                      1. San Diego Padres<\/strong><\/a> (-0.3, Ninth in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -3 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                        -3.8 Clutch, 2.9 Run Prevention, 4.0 Baserunners, -2.3 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                        The Below Average<\/h4>\n
                                          \n
                                        1. Washington Nationals<\/strong><\/a> (-1.2, 10th in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -5 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                          1.7 Clutch, -1.6 Run Prevention, -5.3 Baserunners, -10.6 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                            \n
                                          1. Texas Rangers<\/strong><\/a> (-1.6, 11th in AL), No Change from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                            -16.5 Clutch, 6.0 Run Prevention, 14.6 Baserunners, 25.5 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                              \n
                                            1. Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/a> (-3.0, 12th in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +1 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                              -9.7 Clutch, 3.0 Run Prevention, -0.3 Baserunners, 5.4 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                                \n
                                              1. Philadelphia Phillies<\/strong><\/a> (-4.6, 12th in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -6 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                                -15.6 Clutch, 2.9 Run Prevention, 3.4 Baserunners, 14.1 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                                Lots of Work to Do<\/h4>\n
                                                  \n
                                                1. Minnesota Twins<\/strong><\/a> (-7.0, 12th in AL), No Change from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                                  -13.6 Clutch, -3.9 Run Prevention, 0.9 Baserunners, 4.2 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                                    \n
                                                  1. Chicago White Sox<\/strong><\/a> (-9.4, 13th in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +2 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                                    -7.8 Clutch, -11.3 Run Prevention, -7.0 Baserunners, -15.6 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                                    Stock Up on Tums<\/h4>\n
                                                      \n
                                                    1. Arizona Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/a> (-11.1, 13th in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -1 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                                      -22.6 Clutch, -5.0 Run Prevention, -0.8 Baserunners, 13.3 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                                        \n
                                                      1. New York Mets<\/strong><\/a> (-17.2, 14th in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -1 from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                                        -29.7 Clutch, -4.0 Run Prevention, -9.4 Baserunners, -18.2 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                                          \n
                                                        1. St Louis Cardinals<\/strong><\/a> (-18.6, 15th in NL), No Change from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                                          -26.3 Clutch, -9.8 Run Prevention, -11.7 Baserunners, -25.7 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                                          Pray for a Blowout Win<\/h4>\n
                                                            \n
                                                          1. Oakland Athletics<\/strong><\/a> (-23.9, 14th in AL), No Change from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                                            -23.0 Clutch, -22.8 Run Prevention, -22.4 Baserunners, -38.5 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                                              \n
                                                            1. Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/a> (-39.1, 15th in AL), No Change from Week 18<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                                              -61.0 Clutch, -21.0 Run Prevention, -20.8 Baserunners, -22.7 Command<\/em><\/p>\n

                                                               <\/p>\n

                                                              Full Score Explanation<\/h3>\n

                                                              For clutch, we will use both the Goose Egg total (33%) and the ratio of Goose Eggs to Broken Eggs (67%) due to the major flaws in Saves and Holds. Full details about Goose Eggs are here<\/a>. Otherwise, here\u2019s the elevator speech.<\/p>\n

                                                              A Goose Egg is like a save, except more restrictive. Here are the main points…<\/p>\n