August 1, 2018
Milwaukee Brewers – After Joakim Soria pitched a clean eighth inning, Jeremy Jeffress closed out a 1-0 win in the ninth to collect his fourth save of the season. Craig Counsell said after the game that Jeffress got the ninth instead of Corey Knebel because of the righties that were coming to the plate. Had there been at least a couple lefties due up in the ninth, it would have been Knebel’s inning. That’s not exactly what Knebel owners want to hear, as this effectively puts the Brewers into a committee for as long as Counsell decides to worry about matchups in the ninth inning.
Updated hierarchy: *Knebel | Hader | Jeffress.
* = closer-by-committee
Arizona Diamondbacks – The Diamondbacks were busy on Tuesday, as they not only acquired Jake Diekman from across the stadium, but brought back a familiar face in Brad Ziegler from the Marlins. Arizona now has an extremely deep bullpen, as Ziegler and Diekman will nicely complement Yoshihisa Hirano, Archie Bradley and closer Brad Boxberger. While Torey Lovullo wants to keep Boxberger, Bradley and Hirano in their respective roles, we think that the experienced Ziegler will be the most likely person to vulture a save should both Boxberger and Bradley be unavailable.
Updated hierarchy: Boxberger | Bradley | Ziegler.
Texas Rangers – Jake Diekman was the final Rangers reliever to find a new home, as Texas sent Jake Diekman to Arizona on Tuesday. Jose Leclerc should take over the ninth inning, while Alex Claudio and Cory Gearrin will be the Rangers’ other late-inning options. Don’t forget about Chris Martin as well, who was just activated from the DL and may eventually challenge for the ninth inning.
Updated hierarchy: Leclerc | Claudio | Gearrin.
Chicago Cubs — The Cubs added former National Brandon Kintzler at the deadline, giving them another late-inning option. Joe Maddon said that his bullpen has a lot of guys who can finish a game, and Kintzler very well might be one of those guys. We’ll hold him out of the hierarchy for now, but don’t be too surprised if Kintzler pitches in a few different scenarios for the Cubs.
Hierarchy remains: *Strop | Edwards | Cishek.
* = closer-by-committee
Washington Nationals — The Nationals traded Brandon Kintzler to the Cubs on Tuesday. Justin Miller (3.66 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 11.81 K/9) could benefit from Kintzler’s absence, especially with Sean Doolittle still on the DL.
Updated hierarchy: *Herrera | Madson | Miller.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Dodgers – John Axford, acquired by the Dodgers on Tuesday, is expected to join the squad on Friday. Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi said that he doesn’t see the club having a set eighth-inning guy and expects Axford to get outs wherever needed, though that may include the seventh or eighth innings depending on matchups.
Hierarchy remains: Jansen | Goeddel | Alexander.
Toronto Blue Jays – The Blue Jays were busy on Tuesday, dealing Aaron Loup to the Phillies and John Axford to the Dodgers. Expect Ryan Tepera, Ken Giles and Tyler Clippard to be the three main relievers for Toronto during the rest of the season, with Giles to join the squad on Thursday.
Hierarchy remains: *Tepera | Giles | Clippard.
* = closer-by-committee
Cleveland Indians — Cody Allen took over for Brad Hand with two outs in the eighth and retired the lone batter he faced in the frame. Allen then stayed out there after Cleveland tacked on another run in the ninth to close out a 6-2 win. Hand faced the 3-4-5 hitters, two of which were lefties. More relevant than the save for Allen has not allowed an earned run over his last five appearances, though he does only have one strikeout during that span. Expect Terry Francona to continue to deploy Hand and Allen in this fashion, with Hand more likely to face a lefty-heavy part of the order.
Hierarchy remains: *Allen | Hand | Cimber.
* = closer-by-committee
Miami Marlins — Adam Conley heads into the hierarchy after Brad Ziegler’s move to Arizona.
Updated hierarchy: Barraclough | Steckenrider | Conley.
VULTURE POSITION PLAYER PITCHING WATCH
Today
1. Jose Bautista – Jose Reyes held the Nationals to six runs on just five hits in Tuesday’s ninth inning, but he needed 48 pitches in the process. Should the Mets fall behind by 18 for a second straight night, Reyes will be unavailable.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Adam Ottavino – Wade Davis has gone in three of the last four while Ottavino was held out of last night’s contest.
2. Dellin Betances/Zach Britton – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in three of the last four. The Yankees have a four-game series with the Red Sox starting on Thursday, so they may take an opportunity to rest both Chapman and Dellin Betances tonight.
3. Keone Kela/Kyle Crick – Felipe Vazquez has throw 41 pitches over the last three days. The Pirates have Thursday off, but if new addition Keone Kela is available tonight, this might be a good time to use him.
Tomorrow
1. Xavier Cedeno – If Jace Fry pitches today, that will be two straight and four of five.
2. Kevin McCarthy/Brandon Maurer – Wily Peralta threw 21 pitches yesterday. Kevin McCarthy also pitched yesterday, so if both he and Peralta are taxed on Wednesday, that could pave the way for a Brandon Maurer save chance.
