August 12, 2018
Minnesota Twins — Trevor Hildenberger received the first post-Fernando Rodney save chance and it got off to a rocky start. Hildenberger walked the leadoff batter in the ninth, gave up a homer to the next batter to make it a one-run game, and then gave up a single. He was able to recover by getting the next three batters out, including two strikeouts, to lock down his first save of the season. It wasn’t pretty, and Hildenberg has given up the most home runs of any Twins’ reliever this season, but it says a lot that Hildenberger got the first chance and converted it. He thinks he might be tipping his off-speed pitches and we will see if he can figure that out. Trevor May pitched a scoreless eighth inning ahead of Hildenberger and has now recorded holds in three of his five appearances this season.
Updated hierarchy: *Hildenberger | Reed | May.
* = closer-by-committee
Milwaukee Brewers — Josh Hader pitched two perfect innings on Saturday to record his ninth save of the season. Corbin Burnes pitched a scoreless seventh inning to pick up the win and could continue to see time in the later innings after manager Craig Counsell said he won’t be using Corey Knebel in those situations for a while.
Updated hierarchy: *Hader | Jeffress | Burnes.
* = closer-by-committee
St. Louis Cardinals — Jordan Hicks came on to get the last out of the eighth inning with the Cardinals up 3. After the Cardinals added two more runs to make it a 5 run lead, Hicks came back out for the ninth to get his third save of the season.
Hierarchy remains: Norris | Hicks | Hudson.
Cleveland Indians — Brad Hand got 5 outs between the 7th and 8th innings and that left Cody Allen for the save opportunity in the ninth. Allen worked around a leadoff hit to pitch a scoreless inning and convert his 22nd save of the season. The Indians will likely continue to mix and match with Hand and Allen.
Hierarchy remains: *Hand | Allen | Miller.
* = closer-by-committee
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today
1. Dellin Betances – Aroldis Chapman has pitched in two of three, throwing a total of 53 pitches.
2. James Pazos – Edwin Diaz and Alex Colome have both pitched in three straight
3. Jeremy Jeffress – Josh Hader recorded a two-inning save yesterday.
Monday
1. Jared Hughes – If Raisel Iglesias pitches on Sunday, it will be three straight.
2. Adam Conley – The Marlins have a doubleheader on Monday…
3. Brad Brach – …Against the Braves
