Matt Albers blows his first post-Glover chance

June 13, 2017

Washington Nationals – With Koda Glover sidelined, Matt Albers got the last out of the 8th inning and then stuck around to try and close the door in the 9th. But he walked two of the first three hitters he faced, and then allowed a three-run dinger to Tyler Flowers. After the game, Baker called Albers “our most dependable guy” and mentioned that basically everyone who pitched on Monday gave up a home run, so they might just run Albers right back out for another save chance tomorrow. They could also look to mix and match with Shawn Kelley and Enny Romero/Oliver Perez, and with no one in the clear driver’s seat, we’ll slap the committee tag on and monitor usage going forward.

Hierarchy remains: *Albers | Kelley | Romero.
* = closer-by-committee

Philadelphia Phillies – A week ago, Pat Neshek bailed out Hector Neris and picked up his first save of the season. With Pete Mackanin saying that Neris needed to work out his splitter and the Phillies looking to showcase Neshek as trade bait, we figured that the veteran would get a few more chances in the 9th inning going forward. The Phillies haven’t had a save opportunity since then, but Neshek has pitched twice, both in the seventh inning. Neris pitched after him on Sunday, and then was ostensibly going to be the 9th inning guy last night, but Joaquin Benoit blew the save. At the very least, Neris seems to have climbed back into the committee lead for the time being.

Updated hierarchy: *Neris | Neshek | Benoit.
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Shawn Kelley – Even if Matt Albers is still in the driver’s seat, he could get the day off after struggling Monday.

Tomorrow
1. David Hernandez – If Bud Norris goes today, it’ll be three straight.