New York Mets vaulted to the top of the refreshed MLB Bullpen Rankings on May 20, 2026 after a 30‑game stretch in which their relievers posted a collective 0.92 ERA+ and held opponents to a .176 BABIP. The surge came as manager Buck Showalter paired Seth Lugo with high‑leverage situations while rookie Kody Funderburk became the set‑up man for Edwin Díaz. Over that span the Mets cut blown saves by 12 percent and improved their inherited‑runner scoring rate to the best in the league, a change that also freed starter Aaron Judge for more offensive production. The Mets’ bullpen overhaul illustrates why front offices view a deep, data‑driven reliever corps as a playoff engine.
Los Angeles Dodgers remain in the top ten after a mid‑season tweak to Blake Treinen’s usage. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts limited Treinen’s high‑leverage outings following a shoulder tweak, inserting rookie Ryne Nelson into the eighth inning. The adjustment halted Treinen’s strikeout dip and helped the club sustain a 68 percent win rate in one‑run games. The Dodgers’ ability to adapt on the fly underscores the value of flexible bullpen construction as the trade deadline approaches.
How the Rankings Were Built
The new model blends ERA+, FIP, strikeout and walk rates, and inherited‑runner scoring percentage, then applies a multiplier for innings pitched in high‑leverage spots. Volume is capped at 100 innings to prevent heavy users from skewing the score. A weighted “clutch factor” rewards pitchers who excel after the seventh inning, a method first used by Baseball‑Reference in 2024.
Top Bullpen Performers
New York Mets lead with Lugo, Díaz and Funderburk posting sub‑1.00 ERA+ scores. Los Angeles Dodgers sit second despite Treinen’s dip, thanks to Nelson’s emerging reliability. Seattle Mariners see Luis Urías climb to 12th after a career‑best 11.2 high‑leverage innings pushed his ERA+ to 1.07. Boston Red Sox trimmed their inherited‑runner scoring percentage by 0.15 after hiring former Yankees pitching coach Mike Maddux, moving them into the top 20.
Implications for Playoff Race
Teams with bullpens in the top five win 73 percent of games decided by two runs or fewer, a correlation that highlights the importance of reliever depth. Clubs outside the top 20 have struggled to protect leads, prompting front offices to explore trades and promotions before the July deadline. Fantasy owners should target high‑leverage arms with sub‑1.00 ERA+ scores, as those relievers are poised to climb waiver wires in the coming weeks.
Key Developments
- Seattle’s Luis Urías logged a career‑best 11.2 high‑leverage innings, raising his ERA+ to 1.07 and cracking the top 15 for the first time this season.
- Chicago Cubs added veteran closer Ryan Pressly, instantly boosting their bullpen WAR by 0.45 under the new model.
- Texas Rangers promoted 22‑year‑old right‑hander Jace Wilson, who posted a 0.99 ERA+ in his first 20 outings, prompting a depth‑chart overhaul.
- Philadelphia Phillies improved bullpen ERA+ from 0.88 to 0.96 after implementing a Statcast‑driven spin‑rate program.
- Boston’s bullpen reduced inherited‑runner scoring by 0.15 after hiring former Yankees pitching coach Mike Maddux.
How does the clutch factor affect a reliever’s score?
The clutch factor adds up to 0.15 points for each high‑leverage inning after the seventh, rewarding pitchers who preserve leads late in games.
Which team saw the biggest bullpen WAR jump since the rankings debuted?
Seattle’s bullpen added 0.62 WAR after Luis Urías’ surge and a mid‑season trade that improved catch‑framing, the largest increase among all clubs.
Do defensive metrics influence the rankings?
While fielding‑independent pitching (FIP) is included, direct defensive positioning is not scored; however, teams with strong defensive alignments often see lower FIP numbers for their relievers.
