Jose Leclerc continues to excel in the late innings

May 22, 2019

Texas Rangers — We expected Chris Martin to get a day off on Tuesday, and it was the just-activated Shawn Kelley who closed out the Rangers’ 5-3 win, though that wasn’t what the team truly envisioned heading into the night. Jose Leclerc pitched what manager Chris Woodward saw as a higher-leverage spot in the eighth inning against the Mariners’ 9-1-2 hitters, who he set down in order. Leclerc has now retired the last 16 batters he has faced and has turned this bullpen into a committee, at least until he wins back the role outright. That should be very soon.

Updated hierarchy: *Martin | Leclerc | Kelley.
* = closer-by-committee

Los Angeles Dodgers – Julio Urias returned to the active roster Tuesday, and manager Dave Roberts said he won’t hesitate to use Urias in high-leverage situations right away. The timing is good for the Dodgers, as Pedro Baez took a comebacker off his right leg at 103 mph. Fortunately for Baez, X-rays were negative. The Dodgers plan to assess where Baez is at over the next couple days, but hopefully Baez can avoid a stint on the injured list.

Updated hierarchy: Jansen | Urias | Floro.

Atlanta Braves – Jacob Webb pitched the eighth inning ahead of Luke Jackson, who allowed a couple of infield singles as part of a four-hit, three-run blown save against the Giants. Manager Brian Snitker thought that Jackson’s breaking ball let him down in what was his second straight blown save. Sean Newcomb will be the most likely benefactor if Jackson loses his grip on the ninth inning, though Jackson’s teammates didn’t seem to think Jackson was to blame for Tuesday’s loss.

Updated hierarchy: Jackson | Newcomb | Webb.

Miami Marlins — Tayron Guerrero pitched the eighth inning ahead of Sergio Romo, striking out two of the three hitters he faced. Guerrero, who hit 101.1 on the radar gun last night, now has an eighth-inning hold in each of his last two appearances. We’ll move him ahead of Nick Anderson, who bounced back from a rough outing on Saturday with five strikeouts over two innings to earn an extra-innings win on Tuesday.

Updated hierarchy: Romo | Conley | Guerrero.

Cincinnati Reds — Amir Garrett struck out three of the four batters he faced during Tuesday’s eighth inning in the Reds’ 3-0 win over the Brewers. Garrett has put together eight straight scoreless appearances in an impressive month of work and should continue to pitch in high-leverage spots.

Updated hierarchy: Iglesias | Hughes | Garrett.

Philadelphia Phillies – Juan Nicasio had a chance to pick up his second save in as many nights on Tuesday, but the Cubs erased a 2-1 deficit to earn a 3-2 victory in the ninth. Hector Neris had appeared in three of the last four games while Pat Neshek warmed up on Monday after pitching Sunday, which kept him out of Tuesday’s game. Seranthony Dominguez meanwhile threw 32 pitches on Monday. 

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

New York Yankees – David Hale, who the Yankees called up prior to Tuesday’s game, pitched the final four innings of last night’s 11-4 victory over the Orioles. Hale earned the team’s championship belt but it is unlikely he will earn any more saves this season. 

Hierarchy remains: Chapman | Britton | Ottavino.

VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today

1. Robert Gsellman – Edwin Diaz has pitched in two straight and three of four. Jeurys Familia was booed off the mound last night in a six-pitch outing in the eighth, his second straight appearance. The Mets don’t have Thursday off, so Mickey Callaway may be wise to rest Familia as well and give Gsellman a save chance.
2. Lou Trivino – Blake Treinen has gone in two straight and three of four.
3. Sean Newcomb – Luke Jackson threw 26 pitches last night during his blown save.
4. Adam Warren – Kirby Yates has pitched in two straight and Craig Stammen has thrown in three consecutive days. The Padres do have Thursday off.

Tomorrow
1. Sean Newcomb – If Luke Jackson pitches again today, he should have Thursday off.
2. Adam Conley – If Sergio Romo appears today, that will be two straight outings for him.