Sean Doolittle and Arodys Vizcaino secure their closer jobs

August 5, 2017

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Our Donation Drive ends this weekend. As always, we are extremely grateful for your support!]

Washington Nationals — Sean Doolittle has emerged as the closer for the Nationals, having been used in that role every night he’s been available. Behind him, Brandon Kintzler pitched the seventh and Ryan Madson the eighth, his sixth straight scoreless appearance since he came to Washington. Dusty Baker says the team will “be nimble” with its bullpen roles and that the three main relievers might still appear in a different order, but we’re still going to drop Doolittle’s asterisk and swap the setup guys.

Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Madson | Kintzler.

Atlanta Braves — Arodys Vizcaino pitched a clean ninth inning to pick up his second straight save and, as promised, we’ll kick his asterisk.

Updated hierarchy: Vizcaino | Johnson | Brothers.

Detroit Tigers — With Shane Greene unavailable after pitching in three straight, it was Alex Wilson who faced the top of the order in the eighth before Bruce Rondon came on for his first save of the year. It was Rondon’s third straight scoreless appearance, although he benefited from a fortuitous bounce pass on a wild pitch. Rondon appears to be first in line for now, but he’s prone to disaster innings and could slip back quickly.

Updated hierarchy: Greene | Rondon | A. Wilson.

Toronto Blue Jays — The Blue Jays see Joe Biagini as a potential future starter, so they sent him down to Triple-A to get stretched out. Replacing Biagini in the bullpen will be Danny Barnes, back from a brief DL stint for a shoulder impingement.

Updated hierarchy: Osuna | Tepera | Barnes.

Los Angeles Angels — Cam Bedrosian’s ERA has tripled over the past month, and Mike Scioscia has suggested that his mechanics are still off as a result of his groin strain earlier this year. Blake Parker hasn’t allowed a run since July 8.

Updated hierarchy: Norris | Parker | Bedrosian.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Archie Bradley — It’s been three in a row for Fernando Rodney.
2. Drew Storen — Both Raisel Iglesias (58) and Michael Lorenzen (64) have thrown a lot of pitches over the last three days.
3. Jake Petricka/Juan Minaya — Tyler Clippard has gone in two straight, including a two-inning, 27-pitch outing on Friday.
4. Anthony Swarzak — Corey Knebel has thrown two in a row (45 pitches) and three of four.

Sunday:
1. Jim Johnson/Rex Brothers — If Vizcaino pitches today, that’ll be two straight games and three of four.
2. Pat Neshek — Saturday would be three in a row for Greg Holland.
3. Blake Parker — And Bud Norris.