June 1, 2019
New York Mets — With Edwin Diaz having thrown 30 pitches on Wednesday, the Mets opted to give him another night of rest and send out Robert Gsellman to protect a one-run lead in the ninth. Gsellman gave up a walk, but locked down his first Gsave of the year. Diaz had a brutal outing on Wednesday, which led to some speculation that he was wearing down, but prior to his last blown save he had not given up an earned run in eight straight appearances. The Mets did get some good news as Seth Lugo was activated from the IL and immediately picked up a hold last night, pitching a clean eighth ahead of Gsellman. It’s safe to say the Mets expected more out of Diaz when they brought him over from Seattle, but it seems he still has the closer’s job for now.
Updated hierarchy: Diaz | Lugo | Gsellman.
Baltimore Orioles – With Baltimore holding a three-run lead, it turned to Richard Bleier to get the last two outs of the eighth inning. Shawn Armstrong was warming up in case Bleier got in trouble, but with a three-run lead to play with, Bleier stuck around for the ninth to record his second save of the year. Bleier’s numbers are pretty bad overall, but pretty average for the Orioles, who are still in search of a consistent closing option. Bleier will have to get his ERA under 7 before he can be trusted with the late innings, but his progress is worth monitoring if you’re desperate for potential holds.
Hierarchy remains: *Armstrong | Fry | Kline.
* = closer-by-committee
Seattle Mariners — Seattle had burned through its bullpen options in the past few days, leaving Austin Adams, Jesse Biddle and Anthony Bass as the only well-rested options. Bass got the last out of the eighth and then pitched a clean ninth inning to record his first save since April 2014, when he briefly had more saves on the year than strikeouts. Bass has only appeared in five games this year and has only given up one run in that time. He will probably need to show a bit more before he can crack the hierarchy, but with Seattle’s bullpen in disarray he may get some looks as the hot hand. .
Hierarchy remains: *Elias | Brennan | Sadzeck.
* = closer-by-committee
Colorado Rockies — The Rockies won in a blowout last night, but the news from the bullpen is that Wade Davis is close to returning. He has started a throwing program and is only a couple days away from a bullpen session. Davis will resume closing for the Rockies once he returns, so it’s time to squeeze any last value out of Scott Oberg and company.
Hierarchy remains: Oberg | Shaw | Estevez.
VULTURE SAVE WATCH
Today:
1. Andrew Miller — Jordan Hicks has gone in back-to-back games, including 35 pitches last night.
2. Emilio Pagan — The Rays pitched both Jose Alvarado and Diego Castillo last night and will look to get both of them some rest. Pagan also threw yesterday, but is comparatively well-rested.
Sunday:
1. Pedro Baez/Julio Urias — Today would be three in a row for Kenley Jansen. It would also be back-to-back and three of four for Pedro Baez, while Julio Urias is well-rested.
2. Jose Leclerc — Today would be back-to-back and three of four for Shawn Kelley.
