July 15, 2018
Atlanta Braves — The Braves tried to be careful with Arodys Vizcaino by giving him at least two days off in between each of his three appearances since returning from the DL in early July. However, it didn’t matter as the Braves placed Vizcaino back on the DL after he was unable to get loose before the game on Saturday. The Braves hope it is only inflammation in his pitching shoulder, but this is certainly not good news for Vizcaino. We think this will be a committee with Dan Winkler and A.J. Minter, but since Minter has already gotten two saves in July, he could have a chance of becoming the primary closer.
Updated hierarchy: *Minter | Winkler | Carle.
* = closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals — Jordan Hicks has had kind of a rough week off the mound after an article came out about how closer Bud Norris has been mercilessly riding him. Hicks has since said that he knows Norris is only trying to help him become a better player, but it’s fair to wonder if the off-field issues led to his poor performance on Saturday. The 21-year old came on in the 7th inning to protect a one-run lead but took the loss after allowing four earned runs and only recording one out. In other St. Louis Cardinals news, manager Mike Matheny was fired after the game. We will see if this change impacts the bullpen usage at all moving forward.
Hierarchy remains: Norris | Hicks | Tuivailala.
Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays went with Tyler Clippard yesterday to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning, but he couldn’t get the job done. Clippard gave up doubles to the first two batters he faced but was able to get the next three batters out to keep the game tied. Clippard now has two blown saves in the ninth inning, which is as many as the rest of the Blue Jays’ relievers combined. Seung Hwan Oh will likely see the next save chance and could establish himself as the primary closer until Roberto Osuna is eligible to return in three weeks.
Hierarchy remains: *Oh | Clippard | Axford.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Jake McGee – Wade Davis and Adam Ottavino have both pitched in three straight.
2. Eric Goeddel – Kenley Jansen has pitched in three of four, throwing a total of 57 pitches.
3. Richard Rodriguez – Felipe Vazquez has pitched in three of four, including both games of the doubleheader yesterday. Kyle Crick and Edgar Santana have both pitched in two straight and three of four. Richard Rodriguez got a big out yesterday and could get the call in the Pirates’ overworked bullpen.
Monday
1. Jose Cano – Jose helped his son Robinson win the Home Run Derby, but then he held Yasiel Puig to zero homers a few years later.
