{"id":7868,"date":"2023-09-05T08:10:07","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T15:10:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=7868"},"modified":"2025-12-09T10:09:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T18:09:01","slug":"reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-team-rankings-week-22","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/09\/05\/reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-team-rankings-week-22\/","title":{"rendered":"Reliever Roundup and Bullpen Bonanza \u2014 Week 22 (Sep 4 to Sep 10) Team Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reliever Roundup and Bullpen Bonanza \u2014 9\/4\u20139\/10 Team Rankings<\/h2>\n

We are beginning the 22nd week of the season. Here are the team bullpen\/reliever\/relief corps rankings as we enter the stretch run. The leader has remained the same since these rankings first ran. A waiver-wire liquidation caused one team to fall 13 spots. One of the NL Wild Card contenders is in the bottom five. A league-leading unit is nowhere near a playoff spot. And the team with baseball\u2019s best record has surged into the top three.<\/p>\n

Statistics are through the end of play Sunday, September 3 <\/strong>and only include each reliever\u2019s stats with his current team. In addition, the team stats only include pitchers on the active roster and exclude position pitchers.<\/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

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

Week 22 (Sep 4 to Sep 10) Team Reliever and Bullpen Rankings<\/h3>\n

The Elite<\/h4>\n
    \n
  1. Milwaukee Brewers<\/strong><\/a> (34.2, First in NL), No Change from Last Week
    \n<\/strong>65.3 Clutch, 7.2 Run Prevention, 9.0 Baserunners, 15.8 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n
    1. Detroit Tigers<\/strong><\/a> (20.6, First in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +2 from Last Week
      \n<\/strong>42.9 Clutch, 2.1 Run Prevention, 5.6 Baserunners, -2.9 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        \n
      1. Atlanta Braves<\/strong><\/a> (19.3, Second in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +5 from Last Week
        \n<\/strong>40.4 Clutch, 1.0 Run Prevention, -1.8 Baserunners, 14.2 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Better Take an Early Lead\u2026<\/h4>\n
          \n
        1. San Francisco Giants<\/strong><\/a> (16.4, Third in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -1 from Last Week
          \n<\/strong>34.6 Clutch, -1.6 Run Prevention, 7.3 Baserunners, 5.5 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            \n
          1. Seattle Mariners<\/strong><\/a> (15.1, Second in AL), <\/strong>\u25bc -3 from Last Week
            \n<\/strong>23.3 Clutch, 7.8 Run Prevention, 3.5 Baserunners, 20.4 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
              \n
            1. Boston Red Sox<\/strong><\/a> (13.8, Third in AL), No Change from Last Week
              \n<\/strong>26.9 Clutch, 1.5 Run Prevention, 4.2 Baserunners, 9.4 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              The Very Good<\/h4>\n
                \n
              1. Cleveland Guardians<\/strong><\/a> (12.3, Fourth in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +4 from Last Week
                \n<\/strong>17.1 Clutch, 10.1 Run Prevention, 4.8 Baserunners, 6.2 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                  \n
                1. Los Angeles Dodgers<\/strong><\/a> (11.3, Fourth in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +4 from Last Week
                  \n<\/strong>15.2 Clutch, 9.9 Run Prevention, 8.2 Baserunners, -1.6 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                    \n
                  1. Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/a> (10.3, Fifth in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -4 from Last Week
                    \n<\/strong>16.9 Clutch, 4.8 Run Prevention, 4.1 Baserunners, 6.8 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                    The Good<\/h4>\n
                      \n
                    1. Toronto Blue Jays<\/strong><\/a> (7.9, Fifth in AL), No Change from Last Week
                      \n<\/strong>2.4 Clutch, 13.0 Run Prevention, 4.3 Baserunners, 23.9 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                        \n
                      1. New York Yankees<\/strong><\/a> (7.5, Sixth in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +2 from Last Week
                        \n<\/strong>15.1 Clutch, 0.7 Run Prevention, 4.6 Baserunners, -2.0 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                          \n
                        1. Miami Marlins<\/strong><\/a> (6.7, Sixth in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +5 from Last Week
                          \n<\/strong>2.8 Clutch, 6.9 Run Prevention, 9.2 Baserunners, 26.0 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                          Slightly above Average<\/h4>\n
                            \n
                          1. Pittsburgh Pirates<\/strong><\/a> (4.5, Seventh in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +1 from Last Week
                            \n<\/strong>16.0 Clutch, -4.9 Run Prevention, -5.8 Baserunners, -4.1 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                              \n
                            1. Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong><\/a> (3.0, Seventh in AL), <\/strong>\u25bc -7 from Last Week
                              \n<\/strong>3.9 Clutch, 2.6 Run Prevention, 4.1 Baserunners, -3.4 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                              The Average<\/h4>\n
                                \n
                              1. Houston Astros<\/strong><\/a> (1.4, Eighth in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +1 from Last Week
                                \n<\/strong>0.9 Clutch, 0.9 Run Prevention, 1.2 Baserunners, 7.1 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                  \n
                                1. Baltimore Orioles<\/strong><\/a> (1.0, Ninth in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +5 from Last Week
                                  \n<\/strong>-2.4 Clutch, 6.6 Run Prevention, 0.8 Baserunners, -4.7 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                  Below Average<\/h4>\n
                                    \n
                                  1. Philadelphia Phillies<\/strong><\/a> (-2.1, Eighth in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +3 from Last Week
                                    \n<\/strong>-10.1 Clutch, 1.1 Run Prevention, 4.9 Baserunners, 20.8 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                      \n
                                    1. Cincinnati Reds<\/strong><\/a> (-2.63, rounded to -2.6, Ninth in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -3 from Last Week
                                      \n<\/strong>-4.3 Clutch, 1.5 Run Prevention, -2.1 Baserunners, -13.4 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                        \n
                                      1. Texas Rangers<\/strong><\/a> (-2.64 rounded to -2.6, 10th in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +3 from Last Week
                                        \n<\/strong>-13.5 Clutch, 2.4 Run Prevention, 9.2 Baserunners, 20.1 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                          \n
                                        1. Minnesota Twins<\/strong><\/a> (-4.8, 11th in AL), <\/strong>\u25bc -1 from Last Week
                                          \n<\/strong>-7.1 Clutch, -6.3 Run Prevention, 2.3 Baserunners, 5.3 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                          Lots of Work to Do<\/h4>\n
                                            \n
                                          1. Washington Nationals<\/strong><\/a> (-5.6, 10th in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +2 from Last Week
                                            \n<\/strong>-4.9 Clutch, -4.8 Run Prevention, -8.6 Baserunners, -8.2 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                              \n
                                            1. Los Angeles Angels<\/strong><\/a> (-6.1, 12th in AL), <\/strong>\u25bc -13 from Last Week
                                              \n<\/strong>12.6 Clutch, -21.0 Run Prevention, -21.0 Baserunners, -24.4 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                                \n
                                              1. St Louis Cardinals<\/strong><\/a> (-9.3, 11th in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +6 from Last Week
                                                \n<\/strong>-8.4 Clutch, -8.1 Run Prevention, -10.0 Baserunners, -18.8 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                                Stock Up on Tums<\/h4>\n
                                                  \n
                                                1. San Diego Padres<\/strong><\/a> (-10.4, 12th in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -6 from Last Week
                                                  \n<\/strong>-22.1 Clutch, -1.0 Run Prevention, 0.1 Baserunners, -2.7 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                                    \n
                                                  1. Colorado Rockies<\/strong><\/a> (-13.9, 13th in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -1 from Last Week
                                                    \n<\/strong>-15.2 Clutch, -9.2 Run Prevention, -12.3 Baserunners, -31.5 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                                      \n
                                                    1. Arizona Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/a> (-15.4, 14th in NL), No Change from Last Week
                                                      \n<\/strong>-31.9 Clutch, -2.3 Run Prevention, -1.8 Baserunners, 0.4 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                                      Pray for a Blowout Win<\/h4>\n
                                                        \n
                                                      1. Chicago White Sox<\/strong><\/a> (-16.6, 13th in AL), <\/strong>\u25bc -2 from Last Week
                                                        \n<\/strong>-25.2 Clutch, -9.5 Run Prevention, -7.7 Baserunners, -13.7 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                                          \n
                                                        1. New York Mets<\/strong><\/a> (-18.3, 15th in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -1 from Last Week
                                                          \n<\/strong>-32.6 Clutch, -5.6 Run Prevention, -6.5 Baserunners, -11.6 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                                            \n
                                                          1. Oakland Athletics<\/strong><\/a> (-22.0, 14th in AL), No Change from Last Week
                                                            \n<\/strong>-21.4 Clutch, -19.8 Run Prevention, -17.3 Baserunners, -46.1 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                                            An Outlier for the Wrong Reason<\/h4>\n
                                                              \n
                                                            1. Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/a> (-35.3, 15th in AL), No Change from Last Week
                                                              \n<\/strong>-55.1 Clutch, -19.1 Run Prevention, -17.6 Baserunners, -21.9 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\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