April 20, 2019
Seattle Mariners — Roenis Elias closed out another game last night, pitching a clean bottom of the ninth after Seattle took the lead in the top. That makes four saves on the year for Elias, most on the team. We still see Anthony Swarzak as the best bet for saves — he was unavailable last night after throwing back-to-back games — but Elias is perfect in save chances, and is likely to get a few more while Hunter Strickland is out.
Hierarchy remains: *Swarzak | Elias | Sadzeck.
* = closer-by-committee
Los Angeles Angels — Cody Allen took the loss for the second day in a row, giving up two runs without recording an out. Allen started the year 4-for-4 in save opportunites, but has now given up runs in three straight games, while Ty Buttrey has remained perfect. Allen isn’t in immediate danger of losing the closer’s spot, but with the Angels in a five-game slide, his seat is getting warmer.
Hierarchy remains: Allen | Buttrey | Robles.
Cincinnati Reds — The Reds used Raisel Iglesias and Jared Hughes to get through the tied ninth and tenth innings, so when the Reds scored two in the eleventh, they used Zach Duke and Michael Lorenzen to close things out. Duke retired two, but Fernando Tatis Jr. scored on a walk, two stolen bases, and a groundout. Lorenzen came in and got the last out after a single. Lorenzen has gotten into a lot of games for the Reds — not always as a pitcher — but he’s not in the hierarchy at this point.
Hierarchy remains: Iglesias | Hughes | Garrett.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Scott Alexander/Pedro Baez — Kenley Jansen has pitched in three in a row and four out of five, and will get a rest today. Joe Kelly has also gone back-to-back and in three of four, so Alexander or Baez may get the call.
2. Jared Hughes — Raisel Iglesias has pitched in two straight, and even though his pitch count is low, the Reds haven’t used any reliever for three games in a row this year.
3. Buck Farmer — Shane Greene might get a second day of rest after pitching three straight, and Farmer is more rested than Joe Jimenez.
4. Alex Wilson — Josh Hader threw 34 pitches last night and might get a day off.
5. Joe Biagini — Ken Giles has pitched in three of four.
Sunday:
1. Seunghwan Oh — Today would be three straight for Wade Davis and Scott Oberg.
2. Ty Buttrey — An appearance today would be three straight for Cody Allen.
3. Kyle Barraclough — Today would mark three appearances in four days for Sean Doolittle.
