June 11, 2018

New York Mets – Robert Gsellman got 6 big outs for the Mets last night, but it was Anthony Swarzak who got the ball in the 9th inning — the second straight game that he’s pitched after Gsellman. It wasn’t the most inspiring outing, as Swarzak walked a batter before inducing a game ending line-drive-double-play, and Swarzak only has 5.1 big league innings this year, having been on the shelf for most of the season. But he seems to be Mickey Callaway’s preferred option right now, and could get a few more chances in Jeurys Familia’s absence.

Updated hierarchy: *Swarzak | Gsellman | Sewald.
* = closer-by-committee

Houston Astros – Hector Rondon picked up another save on Sunday — his third in five days. It happened rather quickly, but Rondon is now the most likely reliever to get the ball in the 9th inning in Houston. We do expect Ken Giles and Chris Devenski to still mix in from time to time.

Updated hierarchy: *Rondon | Giles | Devenski. 
* = closer-by-committee

Chicago White Sox – Speaking of things that happened quickly, Joakim Soria now has a veritable death grip on the closer role on the South Side, having nabbed 4 saves in 6 days. Quite a turnaround for a guy who was in danger of being DFA’d earlier this season. We’re removing his asterisk.

Updated hierarchy: Soria | Jones | Fry.

Washington Nationals – Brandon Kintzler was placed on the DL yesterday with a strained forearm. Ryan Madson should be Sean Doolittle’s primary handcuff in Kintzler’s absence, but look for the Nats to also mix and match with Sammy Solis, Tim Collins, and Shawn Kelley.

Updated hierarchy: Doolittle | Madson | Solis.

Cincinnati Reds – After throwing three straight Wednesday through Friday, the Reds elected to give Raisel Iglesias a second straight day off — probably a smart move given his recent return from the DL. In his stead, Jared Hughes pitched the final two innings for the save, his fourth of the season.

Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Hughes | Garrett.

Philadelphia Phillies – Bullpen Chaos Theory continued its run of moderate success on Sunday, as Seranthony Dominguez and Luis Garcia combined for 8 of the final 9 outs before Garcia gave way to Tommy Hunter, who needed two pitches to record his first save of the season. This bullpen remains wide open.

Hierarchy remains: *Dominguez | Ramos | Neris. 
* = closer-by-committee

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Nate Jones – Joakim Soria has pitched in four of the last six, throwing 68 total pitches.

Tomorrow
1. Alex Colome/James Pazos – If Edwin Diaz and/or Alex Colome go tonight, it’ll be back to back and three of four.
2. Craig Stammen – If Brad Hand and/or Kirby Yates go tonight, it’ll be three straight.