{"id":8225,"date":"2023-09-27T22:05:38","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T05:05:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=8225"},"modified":"2025-12-09T10:07:34","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T18:07:34","slug":"reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-team-rankings-week-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/09\/27\/reliever-roundup-bullpen-bonanza-team-rankings-week-26\/","title":{"rendered":"Reliever Roundup and Bullpen Bonanza \u2014 Week 26 (Sep 26 to Oct 1) Team Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reliever Roundup and Bullpen Bonanza \u2014 9\/26\u201310\/1 Team Rankings<\/h2>\n

We are in the 26th and final week of the regular season. Here are the team bullpen\/reliever\/relief corps rankings as we wind the season down. Six of the seven NL playoff contenders are in the NL top seven. Four of the top five in the AL have been eliminated from playoff contention. And two of the current AL division leaders are in the AL bottom five.<\/p>\n

Statistics are through the end of play Monday, September 25 <\/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>
Overall leaderboards through end of play Sept 25, active rosters only. AL (red) on the left; NL (blue) on the right.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Week 26 (Sep 26 to Oct 1) Team Reliever and Bullpen Rankings<\/h3>\n

The Elite<\/h4>\n
    \n
  1. Milwaukee Brewers<\/strong><\/a> (40.9, First in NL), No Change from Two Weeks Ago
    \n<\/strong>75.7 Clutch, 11.1 Run Prevention, 12.3 Baserunners, 19.2 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n
    1. Detroit Tigers<\/strong><\/a> (28.6, First in AL), No Change from Two Weeks Ago
      \n<\/strong>61.9 Clutch, 0.2 Run Prevention, 4.1 Baserunners, 2.2 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        \n
      1. Los Angeles Dodgers<\/strong><\/a> (26.8, Second in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +3 from Two Weeks Ago
        \n<\/strong>42.0 Clutch, 14.2 Run Prevention, 13.5 Baserunners, 17.9 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Better Take an Early Lead\u2026<\/h4>\n
          \n
        1. Toronto Blue Jays<\/strong><\/a> (18.8, Second in AL), No Change from Two Weeks Ago
          \n<\/strong>30.9 Clutch, 9.4 Run Prevention, 0.7 Baserunners, 21.9 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            \n
          1. San Francisco Giants<\/strong><\/a> (12.9, Third in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -1 from Two Weeks Ago
            \n<\/strong>34.5 Clutch, -8.6 Run Prevention, -1.1 Baserunners, 8.0 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            The Very Good<\/h4>\n
              \n
            1. Seattle Mariners<\/strong><\/a> (11.9, Third in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +2 from Two Weeks Ago
              \n<\/strong>19.8 Clutch, 5.4 Run Prevention, 0.7 Baserunners, 15.3 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                \n
              1. Miami Marlins<\/strong><\/a> (11.6, Fourth in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +3 from Two Weeks Ago
                \n<\/strong>17.1 Clutch, 5.1 Run Prevention, 4.8 Baserunners, 21.4 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                The Good<\/h4>\n
                  \n
                1. Atlanta Braves<\/strong><\/a> (9.4, Fifth in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -3 from Two Weeks Ago
                  \n<\/strong>18.2 Clutch, -0.8 Run Prevention, -1.4 Baserunners, 24.3 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                    \n
                  1. Cleveland Guardians<\/strong><\/a> (8.9, Fourth in AL), No Change from Two Weeks Ago
                    \n<\/strong>13.8 Clutch, 6.8 Run Prevention, 1.4 Baserunners, 1.8 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                      \n
                    1. Boston Red Sox<\/strong><\/a> (7.7, Fifth in AL), <\/strong>\u25bc -3 from Two Weeks Ago
                      \n<\/strong>17.3 Clutch, -0.5 Run Prevention, -0.8 Baserunners, 3.0 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                      Slightly above Average<\/h4>\n
                        \n
                      1. Minnesota Twins<\/strong><\/a> (4.1, Sixth in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +9 from Two Weeks Ago
                        \n<\/strong>0.8 Clutch, 3.3 Run Prevention, 9.8 Baserunners, 19.7 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                          \n
                        1. Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong><\/a> (3.5, Seventh in AL), No Change from Two Weeks Ago
                          \n<\/strong>0.2 Clutch, 4.7 Run Prevention, 8.8 Baserunners, 8.8 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                          The Average<\/h4>\n
                            \n
                          1. Chicago Cubs<\/strong><\/a> (2.6, Sixth in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +1 from Two Weeks Ago
                            \n<\/strong>7.4 Clutch, -1.4 Run Prevention, -2.0 Baserunners, 1.0 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                              \n
                            1. Cincinnati Reds<\/strong><\/a> (2.5, Seventh in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +1 from Two Weeks Ago
                              \n<\/strong>6.2 Clutch, 1.7 Run Prevention, -1.1 Baserunners, -10.5 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                \n
                              1. Pittsburgh Pirates<\/strong><\/a> (2.3, Eighth in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -4 from Two Weeks Ago
                                \n<\/strong>9.0 Clutch, -5.8 Run Prevention, -1.1 Baserunners, 6.4 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                  \n
                                1. Houston Astros<\/strong><\/a> (1.2, Eighth in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +1 from Two Weeks Ago
                                  \n<\/strong>-0.9 Clutch, 1.7 Run Prevention, 2.2 Baserunners, 10.4 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                    \n
                                  1. New York Yankees<\/strong><\/a> (-0.2, Ninth in AL), <\/strong>\u25bc -4 from Two Weeks Ago
                                    \n<\/strong>-2.8 Clutch, -2.7 Run Prevention, 12.0 Baserunners, 7.3 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                      \n
                                    1. Philadelphia Phillies<\/strong><\/a> (-0.7, Ninth in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -2 from Two Weeks Ago
                                      \n<\/strong>-10.4 Clutch, 5.1 Run Prevention, 6.1 Baserunners, 20.2 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                        \n
                                      1. Los Angeles Angels<\/strong><\/a> (-1.5, 10th in AL), No Change from Two Weeks Ago
                                        \n<\/strong>16.9 Clutch, -13.9 Run Prevention, -16.9 Baserunners, -28.7 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                          \n
                                        1. Washington Nationals<\/strong><\/a> (-1.7, 10th in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +1 from Two Weeks Ago
                                          \n<\/strong>6.2 Clutch, -6.2 Run Prevention, -9.7 Baserunners, -15.7 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                          Below Average<\/h4>\n
                                            \n
                                          1. Texas Rangers<\/strong><\/a> (-4.4, 11th in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +1 from Two Weeks Ago
                                            \n<\/strong>-13.4 Clutch, 0.7 Run Prevention, 5.1 Baserunners, 10.4 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                              \n
                                            1. San Diego Padres<\/strong><\/a> (-5.7, 11th in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +1 from Two Weeks Ago
                                              \n<\/strong>-14.8 Clutch, -0.2 Run Prevention, 5.6 Baserunners, 4.1 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                              Lots of Work to Do<\/h4>\n
                                                \n
                                              1. Baltimore Orioles<\/strong><\/a> (-7.0, 12th in AL), <\/strong>\u25bc -5 from Two Weeks Ago
                                                \n<\/strong>-18.1 Clutch, 4.8 Run Prevention, 2.2 Baserunners, -10.8 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                                  \n
                                                1. Colorado Rockies<\/strong><\/a> (-11.5, 12th in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +2 from Two Weeks Ago
                                                  \n<\/strong>-10.3 Clutch, -6.8 Run Prevention, -12.0 Baserunners, -40.8 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                                  Stock Up on Tums<\/h4>\n
                                                    \n
                                                  1. Arizona Diamondbacks<\/strong><\/a> (-15.8, 13th in NL), No Change from Two Weeks Ago
                                                    \n<\/strong>-36.0 Clutch, 1.5 Run Prevention, 3.4 Baserunners, -8.2 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                                      \n
                                                    1. New York Mets<\/strong><\/a> (-17.9, 14th in NL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +2 from Two Weeks Ago
                                                      \n<\/strong>-32.6 Clutch, -3.2 Run Prevention, -6.5 Baserunners, -18.2 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                                                      Pray for a Blowout Win<\/h4>\n
                                                        \n
                                                      1. Oakland Athletics<\/strong><\/a> (-20.8, 13th in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +2 from Two Weeks Ago
                                                        \n<\/strong>-25.0 Clutch, -15.6 Run Prevention, -12.6 Baserunners, -35.2 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                                          \n
                                                        1. St Louis Cardinals<\/strong><\/a> (-26.4, 15th in NL), <\/strong>\u25bc -4 from Two Weeks Ago
                                                          \n<\/strong>-40.4 Clutch, -10.3 Run Prevention, -12.6 Baserunners, -42.9 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                                            \n
                                                          1. Kansas City Royals<\/strong><\/a> (-26.6, 14th in AL), <\/strong>\u25b2<\/strong> +1 from Two Weeks Ago
                                                            \n<\/strong>-38.6 Clutch, -16.3 Run Prevention, -16.6 Baserunners, -19.5 Command<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
                                                              \n
                                                            1. Chicago White Sox<\/strong><\/a> (-36.5, 15th in AL), <\/strong>\u25bc -3 from Two Weeks Ago
                                                              \n<\/strong>-57.8 Clutch, -19.3 Run Prevention, -10.8 Baserunners, -32.9 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