August 29, 2016
San Francisco Giants — More bad news for the woebegone Giants over the weekend, as Derek Law, the team’s most effective reliever since the All-Star break, went on the disabled list with a right elbow strain. Law had Tommy John surgery in 2014, but says that an MRI showed only inflammation from scar tissue. Bruce Bochy said that he would lean on Hunter Strickland and Cory Gearrin in Law’s absence.
Updated hierarchy: Casilla | Romo | Strickland.
Boston Red Sox — Matt Barnes got the call in a very high-leverage spot for Boston, up two in the sixth, with one out and the bases loaded. It didn’t go well. Infield single, three-run triple, hit-by-pitch, fielder’s choice, single to left — the final word was three inherited runs allowed, plus five charged to his own account. Since the All-Star break, Barnes has an 8.62 ERA and 1.60 WHIP. As unlikely as it once seemed, Clay Buchholz could play a pivotal role as an eighth-inning reliever for Boston down the stretch.
Updated hierarchy: Kimbrel | Ziegler | Buchholz.
New York Yankees — Jonathan Holder is the 23-year-old closer for New York’s AAA affiliate in Scranton (the mighty RailRiders). He entered Sunday’s game in Rochester in the sixth inning, up two with two on and nobody out, and proceeded to strike out the next 11 hitters. After a bloop infield single, he finished the game with another strikeout, earning a 12-K, 4-IP save for the ages. The MLB record for consecutive strikeouts is 10 (Tom Seaver), and no one has ever struck out more than nine while earning a major league save. Keep an eye on Holder.
Hierarchy remains: Betances | Warren | Clippard.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
1. Joe Blanton/Adam Liberatore, Los Angeles Dodgers — Kenley Jansen has pitched in three straight, five of six, and six of eight. Blanton has also seen some heavy use lately.
2. Neftali Feliz, Pittsburgh Pirates — Tony Watson has gone in four of five, and Feliz grabbed the last vulture save on Saturday.
3. John Axford, Oakland A’s — Ryan Madson pitched Saturday and Sunday; Monday could tell us whether Axford has slipped out of the backup closer role.
4. Joaquin Benoit, Toronto Blue Jays — Jason Grilli and Roberto Osuna have each pitched in two straight.
