September 26, 2016
Cincinnati Reds – Save opportunities are few and far between in Cincinnati, but if there are any to be had in the season’s final week, it’s a good bet that Raisel Iglesias will be the recipient. Iglesias has converted the last two Cincinnati saves (yesterday and Sept. 12 — told you they were pretty infrequent) and has pitched much better than Tony Cingrani, who has struggled down the stretch.
Updated hierarchy: *Iglesias | Cingrani | Lorenzen.
* = closer-by-committee
San Diego Padres – Brad Hand finished the 8th inning for the Padres and then stayed on for the 9th, presumably to pitch to Brandon Belt, who was due up second. But Hand was cruising, so after retiring Belt, he also got the game’s final out, picking up his first save of the season. Outside of San Diego, it’s likely that few people have heard about the job that the lefty is doing, but the bullpen certainly seems to suit him, as he’s now struck out 105 hitters on the season in just 85.2 innings.
Updated hierarchy: Maurer | Hand | Buchter.
