July 22, 2017
Chicago White Sox — Tyler Clippard’s first appearance with the White Sox didn’t go as planned. Entering a tie game in the tenth inning, he loaded the bases with no outs, taking the loss on a sacrifice fly. If Clippard isn’t more effective in Chicago than he was in New York, he won’t be the closer for long.
Hierarchy remains: Clippard | Swarzak | Jennings.
New York Mets — With the Mets up four in the eighth, they turned to Erik Goeddel. He got himself into trouble, giving up a run and putting two men on, so in came Addison Reed. After a walk and a single, Reed was pulled for Jerry Blevins, who retired five straight to earn his first save of the year. Blevins’s solid performance should cement him in the role of Reed’s handcuff if the closer gets traded.
Hierarchy remains: Reed | Blevins | Sewald.
Miami Marlins — Don Mattingly likes how Junichi Tazawa has pitched since his return from the disabled list, and will continue to use him in the seventh inning. With trade rumors continuing to swirl around AJ Ramos, Tazawa could earn even greater responsibilities soon.
Updated hierarchy: Ramos | Barraclough | Tazawa.
San Diego Padres — The bad Brandon Maurer showed up last night. Up three in the ninth, he got two quick outs, raising the Padres’ win expectancy to 99.6%. Then came a walk, single, and three-run homer. San Diego ultimately came back to win in 11, thanks to two perfect innings from Phil Maton. If Maurer hasn’t killed his value — and if the Padres aren’t asking too much for Brad Hand — Maton and Kirby Yates could be the last arms left here very soon.
Hierarchy remains: Maurer | Hand | Maton.
Texas Rangers — Alex Claudio has been impressive as the head of the Rangers’ committee. While he didn’t earn a save last night, he pitched a clean ninth in a tie game, then returned to protect a one-run lead in the tenth. The biggest thing keeping the asterisk next to Claudio’s name is that he’s the only lefty in the Texas pen, which may lead to some situational usage. It remains to be seen how Jeff Banister will deploy Keone Kela, who just returned from the DL, but Claudio may be able to hold the job.
Hierarchy remains: *Claudio | Kela | Leclerc.
* = closer-by-committee
Detroit Tigers — With a killer slider and a 100 MPH fastball, Bruce Rondon is making a strong case to take over the closer role in the likely event that Justin Wilson gets moved.
Hierarchy remains: J. Wilson | Rondon | Greene.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Jerry Blevins/Paul Sewald — Reed has gone in three straight, and Blevins was used for five outs Friday.
2. Phil Maton/Kirby Yates — Maurer and Hand have gone in two straight, and Maton pitched two innings last night.
Sunday:
1. Archie Bradley — If Fernando Rodney pitches today, that would be three in a row. Bradley threw 34 pitches last night and likely won’t pitch today.
2. Hunter Strickland — A Sam Dyson appearance would be two straight and four of five.
3. Bruce Rondon — Justin Wilson pitched yesterday and in two of three.
4. Joakim Soria — Same for Kelvin Herrera.
